Mike Janyk bolsters the Canadian charge Early Winter 2013 Vol. 2, No. 1
2012-13
WORLD CUP PREVIEW
EN
editor’s note
in this issue Editor’s Note................. 3 World Cup Preview.......4 Alpine..............................6 Freestyle.......................10 Ski Cross.......................14
Cover photo: Michael Janyk (Alessandro Trovati, Pentaphoto)
Cross-Country............ 15
Healthy, prepared teams primed for title hunt Lots to like. Lots to look forward to. Canadian snowsports enjoyed a stellar 2011-12 season, highlighted by a smattering of crystal and some historic efforts. Mikail Kingsbury won the overall moguls crystal globe. Olivier Rochon secured the aerials crown, and Marielle Thompson won the season-long ski cross title in unheralded fashion. Devon Kershaw became the first Canadian male cross-country skier to finish second overall on the World Cup tour. Alex Harvey won his first World Cup race. Lenny Valjas won his first three career medals. Chandra Crawford found her way back to the international podium. The Canadian moguls team secured the 2012 Nations Cup. Kaya Turski and Rosalind Groenewoud led the new-school charge. Erin Mielzynski became the first Canadian to win a World Cup slalom since 1971. The new season brings change. There were retirements. Brian Bennett in ski cross. Anna Goodman in alpine. Pierre-Alexandre Rousseau in moguls. Warren Shouldice in aerials. Louis-Pierre Helie has switched from alpine to ski cross. Peter Bosinger succeeds Paul Kristofic as head coach of the men’s alpine team, as Kristofic shifts to vice-president of sports for Alpine Canada. The promise of 2013 is perhaps no greater than on the men’s alpine scene, where there is talent, experience and depth on both the speed and tech fronts. Most importantly, there is health. “This is one of the first times since the fall of 2009 when the whole team has been healthy,” Bosinger said at a summer downhill camp at Zermatt, Switzerland. “Based on what the conditioning coaches are saying and what the athletes showed, I think in general everyone’s in a much better place physiologically. They’ve done a lot of work preparing their bodies for the season.” One of the veterans to return from injury, Manny Osborne-Paradis, said, “If everybody stays healthy we have a chance to be one of the best teams we’ve ever had by Sochi.” The speed group is boosted by the return of not only Osborne-Paradis (knee, back), but also 2009 downhill world champ John Kucera (broken leg, back). Add those two to an arsenal that includes Erik Guay, Jan Hudec, Robbie Dixon and Ben Thomsen and you have the makings of a squad that can hit the podium every weekend. The retirement of Swiss legend Didier Cuche might open up some podium opportunities on the World Cup circuit. “We are in a good place right now,” Osborne-Paradis said. Maybe even a better place come Sochi 2014. — Don Cameron
SNOWSPORTS MEDIA INCORPORATED
COMPETITION
EDITOR Don Cameron EDITORIAL DIRECTOR Gordie Bowles ACTING ART DIRECTOR Doris Cheung SENIOR PHOTOGRAPHER Paul Morrison SENIOR WRITER Michael Mastarciyan CONTRIBUTORS Oliver Kraus, Jules Lajoie, Marc Landry, Paul Morrison, Mike Ridewood, Ric Rowan, Kevin Stevens, ACA/Pentaphoto, Getty Images
PRESIDENT Chris Robinson, chris@s-media.ca VICE PRESIDENT Mark Kristofic, mark@s-media.ca CONTROLLER Lisa Crowley, lisa@s-media.ca S-Competition is an independent publication of Snowsports Media Inc. and is published two times per year. Head Office: Snowsports Media Inc. 87-B Hurontario St., Collingwood, Ont., L9Y 2L9. Phone: (416) 840-6615. E-mail: info@s-media.ca LETTERS: All letters to the editor should be addressed to editor@s-media.ca” with subject header “MailBag Letter.”
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www.snowsportsculture.com / S-Competition 3
AUDI
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2012-13 World Cup Preview
CHASING CRYSTAL
In a tuneup season for the Sochi Winter Games, Canada is poised to be a major factor on all snowsports fronts. S-Comp forecasts the contenders, from the bumps to the rails, ski cross course to the gates. BY DON CAMERON
Aksel Lund Svindal (Red Bull Content Pool)
www.snowsportsculture.com / S-Competition 5
////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////// MEN’S SPEED
Downhill/Super-G
THE VITALS
Canada Hosts Speedsters Lake Louise Winterstart men’s speed races are Nov. 24-25. Preying for U.S. Podium Men hit Beaver Creek’s Birds of Prey for races Nov. 30-Dec. 2.
ALPINE
CHASE FOR CRYSTAL
2011-12 Rankings by Manufacturer Downhill 1. Salomon 2. Head 3. Atomic Super-G 1. Head 2. Salomon 3. Rossignol The Greatest Austrians Franz Klammer (25 World Cup downhill wins) and Hermann Maier (24 super-G).
DON’T MISS
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Question marks abound for top Euro talent on the downhill side, with Austrian Klaus Kroell, the reigning champ, recovering from a right foot fracture. Swiss runner-up Beat Feuz was hampered in offseason training with a left knee injury, while Didier Cuche retired. Bode Miller was fifth in the downhill standings and might need time to regain form after cutting short last season. Austria still has top talent, with Hannes Reichelt and Romed Baumann back. Frenchmen Johan Clarey and Adrien Theaux could be factors, but Norwegian Aksel Lund Svindal could set the downhill standard this season. Svindal also won the super-G crystal and could be threatened by countryman Kjetil Jansrud for this year’s crown.
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The build-up to Sochi 2014 ramps up Feb. 4-17 when Schladming, Austria, hosts the 2013 FIS Alpine World Ski Championships. While Schladming’s annual
night slalom is hailed as the most popular single World Cup race — boasting crowds of 50,000 — the men’s downhill at the 2013 worlds, set for Feb. 9,
will be the marquee event. Canada’s Erik Guay is the defending downhill world champ, having stunned the field at the 2011 Garmisch event.
KITZ BLITZ hahnenkamm.com Experience the lore of the Hahnenkamm through colourful race posters at the official online race headquarters.
6 S-Competition / www.snowsportsculture.com
CANADIAN OUTLOOK
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The return of Manny Osborne-Paradis (knee, back) and John Kucera (leg) will give Canada one of the deepest and most talented speed teams on the circuit. Don’t be surprised if young gun Ben Thomsen challenges for a topfive finish in the downhill chase after placing 15th last winter, while Erik Guay (seventh) and Jan Hudec (ninth) should contend for podiums. Guay won the super-G crown in 2010 and looks to regain that form, while Hudec (sixth last season) could contend for super-G crystal with a bit more consistency.
top guns
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slalom Klaus Kroell AUT • Salomon
giant slalom Beat Feuz SUI • Head
2011-12 downhill champ
5 World Cup wins
Aksel Lund Svindal NOR • Head
Kjetil Jansrud NOR • Head
2007 overall champ
1 World Cup super-G win
Erik Guay CAN • Atomic
Jan Hudec CAN • Rossignol
2011 worlds DH champ
DH silver at 2007 worlds
Bode Miller USA • Head
Benni Raich AUT • Atomic
33 World Cup victories
36 World Cup victories
Hannes Reichelt AUT • Salomon
Christof Innerhofer ITA • Rossignol
19 World Cup podiums
3 podiums at worlds
Erik Guay (Pentaphoto)
2011-12 Rankings Downhill 1. Klaus Kroell 2. Beat Feuz 3. Didier Cuche Super-G 1. Aksel Lund Svindal 2. Didier Cuche 3. Beat Feuz
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2012-13 World Cup Preview
MEN’S TECHNICAL
Slalom/Giant Slalom
THE VITALS Kickoff at Sölden The traditional GS glacier opening is set for Oct. 28 at Sölden, Austria.
Tackling Beaver Creek The Beaver Creek, Colorado, Birds of Prey course hosts a World Cup men’s GS on Dec. 2. 2011-12 Rankings slalom 1. Andre Myhrer 2. Ivica Kostelic 3. Marcel Hirscher giant slalom 1. Marcel Hirscher 2. Ted Ligety 3. Max Blardone
CHASE FOR CRYSTAL
2011-12 Rankings by Manufacturer slalom 1. Nordica 2. Völkl 3. Fischer giant slalom 1. Atomic 2. Head 3. Salomon The Greatest Ingemark Stenmark, the Swedish legend, leads with 46 all-time World Cup GS wins and 40 slalom wins.
Trevor White (Pentaphoto)
DON’T MISS
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Swedish veteran Andre Myhrer stole last season’s slalom title at World Cup Finals when points leaders Ivica Kostelic and Marcel Hirscher skied out in the first run. With a host of Euro contenders and a possible bounce-back season from the North American teams, this year’s chase for slalom crystal could be just as dramatic. Croatia’s Kostelic is finally healthy and could be the man to beat, while Hirscher looks to continue his upward trend after escaping serious injuries in a May car wreck. The GS season will mark the first year on the new FIS-mandated skis, straighter and longer with less sidecut. Hirscher, American Ted Ligety and Italy’s Max Blardone are the clear favourites again.
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Adelboden, Switzerland, is a gem on the World Cup giant slalom circuit. Alberta Tomba and Ingemar Stenmark helped solidify the legend of the Kuonigs-
bergli slope. When the tour hits Adelboden for this year’s GS on Jan. 12, Canada’s Julien Cousineau will look to avenge his ACL tear in last season’s race.
Austrians have won seven of the past 10 races. Bode Miller’s 2002 slalom win and Billy Kidd’s 1966 GS triumph are the only North American victories.
WEASEL HQ weaselworkers.com Without the Weasel Workers and other volunteers, races simply don’t happen. Learn more about their efforts.
CANADIAN OUTLOOK
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Michael Janyk, Julien Cousineau, Brad Spence and Trevor White lead one of the deepest slalom teams in the world. Janyk’s seventh at the classic Adelboden race was the team’s only top-10 placing last season, but the team is primed to threaten the podium often in 2013. On the GS side, Canada had only one racer score World Cup points last season — Jean-Philippe Roy in 29th. With six top-10 World Cup finishes, Roy is looking to continue showing consistency, qualify for World Cup Finals and challenge for podiums.
top guns
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slalom Andre Myhrer SWE • Nordica
giant slalom Marcel Hirscher AUT • Atomic
2010 Whistler gold
12 World Cup wins
Ivica Kostelic CRO • Fischer
Ted Ligety USA • Head
24 World Cup wins
3-time overall GS champ
Cristian Deville ITA • Völkl
Max Blardone ITA • Dynastar
2012 Kitz SL champ
7 World Cup wins
Stefano Gross ITA • Völkl
Alexis Pinturault FRA • Salomon
5th in 2012 SL points
4th in 2012 GS points
Felix Neureuther GER • Nordica
David Simoncelli ITA • Salomon
6th in 2012 SL points
2 World Cup wins
www.snowsportsculture.com / S-Competition 7
////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////// WOMEN’S SPEED
Downhill/Super-G
THE VITALS
Lake-Side Attractions The Lake Louise Winter-start women’s speed races are Nov. 30-Dec. 2. World Cup Finals The alpine tour wraps up March 11-17 at Lenzerheide, Switzerland.
ALPINE
CHASE FOR CRYSTAL
2011-12 Rankings by Manufacturer Downhill 1. Head 2. Völkl 3. Atomic Super-G 1. Head 2. Völkl 3. Rossignol The Greatest Annemarie Moser-Pröll of Austria leads with 36 all-time downhill wins. Lindsey Vonn’s 18 super-G wins are best all time.
DON’T MISS
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The chase in downhill belongs to American Lindsey Vonn, who guns for her sixth straight downhill crystal globe. With 26 career downhill wins, she is within striking distance of the all-time mark of 36 set by Austria’s Annemarie Moser-Pröll. Germany’s Maria Hoefl-Riesch was a close second to Vonn in the 2011 chase but managed just three downhill podiums in 2012. Super-G should be a tighter battle, with teammate Julia Mancuso, who has made the switch to Head skis, a top challenger. Austrian Anna Fenninger, Slovenian veteran Tina Maze and Swiss standout Fabienne Suter also could contend. Switzerland’s Lara Gut was fourth in the 2011 super-G points and could regain her podium form.
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One week after the men, the women tackle the speed courses Nov. 27-Dec. 2 in the Lake Louise Winterstart. The Lake Louise track was the first DH course
outside of Europe to be invited to join the prestigious Club 5. Other Club 5 courses include Gardena/Groden, Italy; Kitzbühel, Austria; Garmisch-Parten-
kirchen, Germany; Val d’Isere, France, and Wengen, Switzerland. Infamous cold is tempered by some of the finest alpine scenery in the world.
PHOTOGENIC kellyvanderbeek.com Kelly VanderBeek is a women’s speed contender. She’s also pretty nifty behind the lens.
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CANADIAN OUTLOOK
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Longtime Austrian coach Kurt Mayr, who guided Renate Goetschl to superstar status, takes the helm of the Canadian speed team. He inherits a young team still a few seasons from consistent contention. Larisa Yurkiw and Kelly VanderBeek have potential as they continue the road back from injuries. VanderBeek was an agonizing fourth in super-G at the 2006 Olympics. Marie-Pier Prefontaine and MarieMichele Gagnon are better known as tech skiers but are increasingly dabbling in speed, especially super-G and super-combined.
top guns
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DOWNHILL Lindsey Vonn USA • Head
SUPER-G Julia Mancuso USA • Head
53 World Cup wins
3-time Olympic medallist
Tina Weirather LIE • Atomic
Anna Fenninger AUT • Head
2nd in 2012 DH points
2011 WCH winner
Elisabeth Goergl AUT • Head
Tina Maze SLO • Stöckli
2-time Olympic medallist
11 World Cup wins
Maria Hoefl-Riesch GER • Head
Fabienne Suter SUI • Stöckli
2011 overall titlist
5th in 2012 SG points
Lara Gut SUI • Rossignol
Daniela Merighetti ITA • Salomon
2 World Cup wins
1 World Cup win
Lindsey Vonn (Red Bull Content Pool)
2011-12 Rankings Downhill 1. Lindsey Vonn 2. Tina Weirather 3. Elisabeth Goergl Super-G 1. Lindsey Vonn 2. Julia Mancuso 3. Anna Fenninger
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2012-13 World Cup Preview
WOMEN’S TECHNICAL
Slalom/Giant Slalom
THE VITALS
Slalom Kickoff Levi, Finland, hosts the opening slalom event of the season Nov. 10-11. Rocky Mountain High Women’s World Cup tech races are set for Aspen, Nov. 24-25. 2011-12 Rankings Slalom 1. Marlies Schild 2. Michaela Kirchgasser 3. Tina Maze Giant Slalom 1. Viktoria Rebensburg 2. Lindsey Vonn 3. Tessa Worley 2011-12 Rankings by Manufacturer Slalom 1. Atomic 2. Rossignol 3. Fischer Giant Slalom 1. Head 2. Rossignol 3. Nordica The Greatest Swiss legend Vreni Schneider is the greatest female tech star of all time, with 34 slalom wins, 20 GS wins.
Erin Mielzynski (Pentaphoto)
DON’T MISS Ajax Mountain above the town of Aspen, Colorado, hosts the women’s tech tour Nov. 24-25. The tour has been visiting this quintessential Rocky
CHASE FOR CRYSTAL
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Austrians ruled the slalom roost last winter, taking three of the top five spots in the points chase, paced by crystal globe dynamo Marlies Schild. It was Schild’s fourth career slalom crown and second straight. Runner-up Michaela Kirchgasser had knee surgery in March but expects to be 100 percent for the new season. Germany’s Viktoria Rebensburg should have little trouble three-peating as GS champ, but the race for second was tight last winter — Lindsey Vonn, Tessa Worley and Anna Fenninger separated by just 13 points for second place. American Julia Mancuso finished strong in GS and could be a factor, while Italy chips in with youngsters (Federica Brignone) and veterans (Denise Karbon).
////////////////////////////////////// Mountain ski town since 1968, when Canada’s Nancy Greene scored a hat trick, winning the slalom, giant slalom and downhill. Last season, Canada’s Marie-
Michele Gagnon turned in an 11th-place effort in slalom. Canada’s Todd Brooker pulled off a downhill win in 1983 on Ruthie’s Run, one year after finishing second.
GOING CAMPIN’ erinmielzynski.com Go behind the summer camp training scene with Canada’s newest World Cup slalom star, Erin Mielzynski.
CANADIAN OUTLOOK
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While GS is still a glaring weakness, the Canadian women’s team is deep and talented in slalom. Four racers — Marie-Michele Gagnon, Erin Mielzynski, Anna Goodman and Eli Terwiel — scored slalom points last winter. Mielzynski became the first Canadian to win a World Cup slalom since 1971, while Gagnon finished 10th in the points. Goodman retired after a career filled with top-25 World Cup efforts, but Terwiel (Nor-Am slalom title) adds depth. Marie-Pier Prefontaine notched a 16th in superG last winter and might be hitting her prime.
top guns
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SLALOM Marlies Schild AUT • Atomic
GIANT SLALOM Viktoria Rebensburg GER • Nordica
35 World Cup wins
2-time discipline titlist
Michaela Kirchgasser AUT • Atomic
Tessa Worley FRA • Rossignol
3 World Cup wins
7 World Cup wins
V. Velez Zuzulova SVK • Salomon
Federica Brignone ITA • Rossignol
4th in 2012 SL points
6 World Cup podiums
Kathrin Zettel AUT • Atomic
Irene Curtoni ITA • Rossignol
2-time WCH medallist
6 World Cup podiums
Tanja Poutiainen FIN • Fischer
Denise Karbon ITA • Fischer
3-time discipline titlist
2008 GS titlist
www.snowsportsculture.com / S-Competition 9
////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////// MEN’S TRADITIONAL Moguls/Aerials
THE VITALS
Norwegian Gold Rush The 2013 FIS Freestyle World Ski Championships will be held at Voss, Norway. Skiers will compete in moguls, dual moguls, ski cross, slopestyle, halfpipe and aerials.
2011-12 Rankings Moguls 1. Mikael Kingsbury 2. Patrick Deneen 3. Jeremy Cota Aerials 1. Olivier Rochon 2. Zongyang Jia 3. Thomas Lambert The Greatest France’s Edgar Grospiron is the all-time leader with 28 moguls podiums, with Canada’s Jean-Luc Brassard and Finland’s Janne Lahtela second with 18.
DON’T MISS
FREESTYLE CHASE FOR CRYSTAL
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The battle for moguls supremacy runs through North America, with eight of the top 10 athletes from last season from Canada or the U.S. Russia’s Sergey Volkov (sixth) and Japan’s Sho Endo (eighth) have potential, but Canadian Mikael Kingsbury, with six straight wins en route to the moguls title, is the clear frontrunner. The American team is stacked, with Patrick Deneen (second), Jeremy Cota (third) and Bradley Wilson (seventh) eager to unseat the “King.” In aerials, the battle should be tighter, with defending champ Olivier Rochon of Canada in the crosshairs of a potent Chinese trio as well as Switzerland’s Thomas Lambert, Belarus’ Dmitri Dashinski and American Dylan Ferguson.
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There are two great opportunities for Canadians to witness their Nations Cup champs in action. Val Saint-Come, Que., hosts men’s and women’s moguls and
aerials Jan. 12-13. Out west, Calgary’s Olympic Park will serve host to moguls and aerials Jan. 26-27. Canadians have excelled of late at home, with Mikail
Kingsbury winning dual moguls last winter at Mont Gabriel and Olivier Rochon placing second in aerials, both en route to crystal globes.
GOLDEN MOMENT alexbilodeau.com Relive Alex Bilodeau’s historic Olympic-winning run from the Vancouver Games on his home page.
10 S-Competition / www.snowsportsculture.com
CANADIAN OUTLOOK
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Canada’s Mikail Kingsbury is the man to beat on the bumps, unless Alex Bilodeau puts in a full schedule as he ramps up defense of his 2010 Olympic gold. There are contenders galore, including Philippe Marquis, Marc-Antoine Gagnon, Cedric Rochon and Eddie Hicks. With aerials world champ Warren Shouldice having retired, Olivier Rochon is Canada’s golden threat. Travis Gerrits, fully recovered from a torn meniscus, won the Mondial Acrobatx water ramp event in September thanks to a stellar triple jump arsenal. JC André adds depth.
top guns
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MOGULS Mikael Kingsbury CAN • IDoneski.com
AERIALS Olivier Rochon CAN • IDoneski.com
2012 moguls champ
2012 aerials champ
Patrick Deneen USA • Hart
Zongyang Jia CHN • Völkl
2009 world champion
2nd in 2012 points
Jeremy Cota USA • Völkl
Thomas Lambert SUI • Salomon
3rd in 2012 points
1 World Cup win
Philippe Marquis CAN • Hart
Dylan Ferguson USA • Völkl
1 World Cup victory
2 World Cup podiums
M. Gagnon CAN • IDoneski.com
Dmitri Dashinski BLR • IDoneski.com
1 World Cup podium
2006 aerials champ
Olivier Rochon (Mike Ridewood, CFSA)
North American Bounty In addition to the Canadian stops at Calgary and Val Saint-Come, there are five freestyle tour stops in the U.S. — Telluride (ski cross) and Copper Mountain (halfpipe); Lake Placid (moguls, aerials); Deer Valley (moguls, dual moguls, aerials) and Park City (halfpipe) in Utah.
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2012-13 World Cup Preview
MEN’S NEW SCHOOL
Halfpipe/Slopestyle
THE VITALS
Summer Opener Cadrona, New Zealand, hosted the kickoff to the 2012-13 World Cup season with a halfpipe competition Aug. 22. In the women’s event, Devin Logan of the U.S. took the win, followed by Japan’s Manami Mitsuboshi and Ayana Onozuka. American Torin YaterWallace won the men’s event ahead of French skiers Thomas Krief and Benoit Valentin. American Snow There are two stops in the U.S., at Park City just before Christmas and Copper Mountain in January.
CHASE FOR CRYSTAL
2011-12 Rankings Halfpipe 1. David Wise 2. Torin Yater-Wallace 3. Wing Tai Barrymore 4. Noah Bowman 5. Tucker Perkins 6. Dan Marion Slopestyle 1. Cyrill Hunziker 2. Thomas Wallisch 3. A. Kemppainen 4. Alex Bellemare 5. Colby West 6. Joss Christensen
Mike Riddle (Mike Ridewood, CFSA)
DON’T MISS
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In the young discipline of halfpipe, North American skiers rule. American swept the top three positions in last season’s World Cup, with Lake Tahoe product David Wise besting the field ahead of teammates Torin Yater-Wallace and Wing Tai Barrymore. Wise has the tools to compete on the highest level — style, technicality and amplitude. France is the top international threat, led by Xavier Bertoni. Europeans are bigger factors in slopestyle, with Swiss ace Cyrill Hunziker tying for the points title last winter with USA’s Thomas Wallisch. Finland’s Antti-Jussi Kemppainen was third. The Americans also feature top-10 point scorers Colby West, Joss Christensen, Yater-Wallace and Christopher Lake.
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Ski halfpipe and slopestyle will make their Olympic debut at the 2014 Sochi Games. Slopestyle requires skiers to showcase their full arsenal of tricks
over big jumps, technical rails, boxes and innovative obstacles. Inspired by the snowboard pipe, ski halfpipe requires tricks and top form to dazzle judges.
The athletes will get a grade-A preview when Sochi hosts a World Cup stop this season, set for Feb. 13 (slopestyle) and Feb. 16 (halfpipe).
GLOBE TROTTING fisfreestyle.com Check out photos, venue histories, results, news archives and more fun tidbits on the “Venues” page.
CANADIAN OUTLOOK
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Canada’s Noah Bowman could be a legitimate halfpipe medal threat at Sochi. He ranked fourth last season, with veteran Mike Riddle 12th and Matt Margetts 14th. In slopestyle, Alex Bellemare from St. Boniface, Que., earned a silver medal at the U.S. Grand Prix World Cup event at Mammoth. Bellemare was fourth in points last winter and is a force to be reckoned with. Jean-Francois Houle joins him on the A team, with a potent B team, including Charles Gagnier, amped to take the next step in international competition.
top guns
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HALFPIPE David Wise USA • Rossignol
SLOPESTYLE Cyrill Hunziker SUI • Armada
2012 halfpipe champ
2012 slopestyle co-champ
Torin Yater-Wallace USA • Armada
Thomas Wallisch USA • Scott
2 World Cup wins
2012 slopestyle co-champ
Wing Tai Barrymore USA • K2
Antti-Jussi Kemppainen
1 World Cup win
2 World Cup podiums
Noah Bowman CAN • Moment
Alex Bellemare CAN • Armada
4th in 2012 points
4th in 2012 points
Tucker Perkins USA • Nordica
Colby West USA • Coreupt
5th in 2012 points
5th in 2012 points
FIN • Salomon
www.snowsportsculture.com / S-Competition 11
////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////// WOMEN’S TRADITIONAL Moguls/Aerials
THE VITALS
Canada in Spotlight Val Saint-Come, Que., hosts moguls and aerials Jan. 12-13. Calgary’s Olympic Park will serve host to moguls and aerials Jan. 26-27. Spanish Summary Sierra Nevada, Spain, will host the freestyle Grand Final March 20-26.
The Greatest American Donna Weibrecht (45) leads in all-time World Cup moguls podium, while Aussie Jacqui Cooper (25) is tops in aerials. Canadian Jenn Heil amassed 24 moguls podiums, third all time.
DON’T MISS
FREESTYLE CHASE FOR CRYSTAL
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Much like on the men’s side, North Americans dominate the women’s moguls circuit. American Hannah Kearney won 16 straight, eclipsing a mark set by alpine legend Ingemar Stenmark. Teammates Heather McPhie, Eliza Outtrim and K.C. Oakley have podium potential. Canada’s Dufour-Lapointe trio — Justine, Chloe and Maxime — pose a threat, along with Audrey Robichaud, in the absence of Kristi Richards, who retired. Czech athlete Nikola Sudova was third last season, while Japan’s Miki Ito looks to crash the party. China rules the aerials scene, with last season’s crystal globe winner, Mengtao Xu, backed by a host of top-notch teammates. Ukraine’s Olga Volkova and Aussie Laura Peel should be in the mix.
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Deer Valley, Utah, (Jan. 31-Feb. 2) is considered one of the finest freestyle venues on the planet, with a common finish arena for aerials and moguls and a
steep, challenging bumps pitch. Host of the 2002 Olympic events, the venue hosted spectacular night action last winter, with China sweeping women’s
aerials, Canada’s Olivier Rochon earning a third place on the men’s side, and Mikail Kingsbury outdueling Alex Bilodeau for gold on the moguls hill.
STAY CONNECTED audreyrobichaud.com Get social with a moguls World Cupper, via her personal website, Facebook and Twitter.
12 S-Competition / www.snowsportsculture.com
CANADIAN OUTLOOK
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The duel between Hannah Kearney and Montreal native Justine Dufour-Lapointe should be a season highlight. Dufour-Lapointe already boasts 12 podiums. Sister Chloe was fifth overall last season, just ahead of Audrey Robichaud. Sabrina Guerin and veteran Veronika Bauer, who is returning from injury, are the best aerials hopes, but neither scored points last winter. Bauer has collected four tour wins and 18 podiums, plus two World Championships medals. She won the AcrobatX summer ramp event thanks to three triple jumps.
top guns
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MOGULS Hannah Kearney USA • Völkl
AERIALS Mengtao Xu CHN • Völkl
2-time moguls champ
2012 aerials champ
J. Dufour-Lapointe CAN • Hart
Shuang Cheng CHN • Völkl
2 World Cup wins
2011 aerials champ
Nikola Sudova CZE • Völkl
Olga Volkova UKR • Völkl
3rd in 2012 points
1 World Cup win
Heather McPhie USA • Moment
Laura Peel AUS • Völkl
1 World Cup victory
1 World Cup win
C. Dufour-Lapointe CAN • Hart
Tanja Schaerer SUI • Atomic
2011 WCH silver
1 World Cup podium
Dufour-Lapointe sisters Justine (center) and Chloe (right) with Japan’s Miki Ito (Mike Ridewood, CFSA)
2011-12 Rankings Moguls 1. Hannah Kearney 2. Justine Dufour-Lapointe 3. Nikola Sudova 4. Heather McPhie 5. Chloe Dufour-Lapointe 6. Audrey Robichaud Aerials 1. Mengtao Xu 2. Shuang Cheng 3. Olga Volkova 4. Laura Peel 5. Tanja Schaerer 6. Fanyu Kong
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2012-13 World Cup Preview
WOMEN’S NEW SCHOOL
Halfpipe/Slopestyle
THE VITALS
Howell Scores a 3rd In the opening World Cup of the slopestyle season, on Sept. 7 at Ushuaia, Argentina, Canadian Dara Howell took third for her first career podium. Besting Howell for the podium were Keri Herman of the USA and Eveline Bhend of Switzerland. On the men’s side, Alex Beaulieu-Marchand was the top Canadian in fourth. The men’s gold went to Britain’s James Woods. Henrick Harlaut of Sweden was second and Jonas Hunziker of Switzerland rounded out the podium. 2011-12 Rankings Halfpipe 1. Brita Sigourney 2. Rosalind Groenewoud 3. Maddie Bowman 4. Devin Logan 5. Anais Caradeux 6. Keltie Hansen Slopestyle 1. Kaya Turski 1. Linn-Ida Murud 3. Devin Logan 4. Eveline Bhend 5. Chiho Takao 6. Natalia Slepecka 6. Emilia Wint
Rosalind Groenewoud (Paul Wright)
DON’T MISS
CHASE FOR CRYSTAL
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American and Canadian skiers ruled the pipe last winter and should be the medal favorites through the 2014 Games. USA’s Brita Sigourney set the World Cup points pace ahead of Canada’s Rosalind Groenewoud, with Americans Maddie Bowman and Devin Logan right behind. Former water polo player Sigourney is recovering from a knee injury but is a top threat. France chips in with skier Anais Caradeux. In slopestyle, seven nations were represented in the top 10 of last winter’s standings, led by Canada’s Kaya Turski and Norway’s Linn-Ida Murud. USA’s Logan was third, showing her dual-threat capability, while Japan boats Chiho Takao. The chase for slopestyle crystal is wide-open.
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The freestyle World Cup tour hits one of the pioneering mountains of the freeride movement, Copper Mountain in Colorado, in early January 2013. The VISA
U.S. Freeskiing Grand Prix will feature the world’s elite halfpipe and slopestyle skiers. At the 2011 Copper World Cup, Rosalind Groenewoud scored
a second place in women’s halfpipe. In that men’s race at Copper, Mike Riddle was the top Canadian in 10th, with Matthew Margetts 21st.
FREESTYLE 101 freestyleski.com 101 Fine-tune your knowledge in “Freestyle 101,” with info and history of the sport, under the “Media” tab.
CANADIAN OUTLOOK
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Canada has a crop of rising stars in women’s pipe and slopestyle, including 17-year-old Dara Howell, but medal hopes clearly rest with two big guns — Rosalind Groenewoud and Kaya Turski. Groenewoud has placed second in the pipe points the past two seasons, but she reeled in gold at the 2011 World Championships at Park City. Turski enjoyed an electric 2011-12 season, winning X Games, Euro X, two Dew Tour stops and the U.S. Grand Prix. The native of Montreal was named top female athlete at the X Games.
top guns
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HALFPIPE Brita Sigourney USA • K2
SLOPESTYLE Kaya Turski CAN • Scott
2012 halfpipe champ
2012 slopestyle co-champ
R. Groenewoud CAN • Scott
Linn-Ida Murud NOR • Salomon
2011 WCH gold
2012 slopestyle co-champ
Maddie Bowman USA • Scott
Eveline Bhend SUI • K2
3rd in 2012 points
3rd in 2012 points
Devin Logan USA • Armada
Chiho Takao JPN • Armada
1 World Cup win
5th in 2012 points
Keltie Hansen CAN • 4FRNT
Emilia Wint USA • Völkl
2011 WCH bronze
1 World Cup podium
www.snowsportsculture.com / S-Competition 13
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MEN’S WOMEN’S THE VITALS
Olympic Preview The World Cup ski cross tour will stop at Sochi, Russia, for Feb. 18-19 competitions on the ski cross venue that will host the 2014 Winter Games. Telluride In, Aspen Out While Skier X has been scrapped as part of the program for the 2013 Winter X Games, Telluride hosts a World Cup event for the first time, set for Dec. 13.
2011-12 Nations Cup 1. Canada 2. Switzerland 3. France
DON’T MISS
SKI CROSS
CHASE FOR CRYSTAL
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Ski cross talent is ramping up globally, as more and more nations commit resources to the sport. Exhibit A: On the men’s tour, 12 nations had an athlete in the top 20 points, with Canada placing five in the top 20. Only a handful, including Slovenia’s Filip Flisar, the defending champ, pose a threat to the Canadians. Others are Swiss racer Alex Fiva, Austria’s Andreas Matt, France’s Jean Frederic Chapuis and Czech racer Tomas Kraus. USA’s John Teller is a rising star. Canada’s Marielle Thompson won last season’s women’s title and she’ll be challenged by a host of teammates as well as French veteran Ophelie David and Swiss guns Katrin Mueller and Sanna Luedi.
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On Dec. 8, 2012, Nakiska Ski Resort in Alberta will host the first top-level international ski cross races staged in Western Canada since the 2010 Olympic
Winter Games. Home to the 1988 Olympic alpine events, Nakiska will join two other prominent Canadian ski cross venues. Blue Mountain, Ontario, has
hosted some thrilling World Cup competition, and is again on the slate for 2013-14. Cypress Mountain, B.C., hosted the 2010 Olympic ski cross programs.
IN OUR HEARTS alpinecanada.org Alpine Canada pays tribute to Nik Zoricic with remembrances and a slideshow, under the “Ski Cross”.
14 S-Competition / www.snowsportsculture.com
CANADIAN OUTLOOK
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Canada loses talent galore but returns Olympic and world champions. Julia Murray, Davey Barr and Brian Bennett retired after a season in which Canada tragically lost Nik Zoricic. Stan Rey shifted to freeskiing. Back on the men’s team is crystal runner-up Brady Leman, world champ Chris Del Bosco, Dave Duncan and Tristan Tafel. Ashleigh McIvor, the 2010 Olympic champ, and world champ Kelsey Serwa return from injury, joining crystal globe winner Marielle Thompson and Danielle Sundquist (formerly Poleschuk).
top guns
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MEN Filip Flisar SLO • Elan
WOMEN Marielle Thompson CAN • Stöckli
3 World Cup wins
2012 overall champ
Brady Leman CAN • Völkl
Ophelie David FRA • Salomon
2nd in 2012 overall
24 World Cup wins
Alex Fiva SUI • Stöckli
Katrin Mueller SUI • Stöckli
3rd in 2012 overall
1 World Cup win
Chris Del Bosco CAN • Stöckli
Sanna Luedi SUI • Rossignol
2011 WCH gold medalist
2 World Cup wins
Andreas Matt AUT • Salomon
Kelsey Serwa CAN • Stöckli
2010 Olympics silver
2011 world champion
The ski cross trenches (Pentaphoto)
2011-12 Rankings Men 1. Filip Flisar 2. Brady Leman 3. Alex Fiva 4. Chris Del Bosoco 5. Andreas Matt 6. David Duncan 7. Jean Frederic Chapuis 8. Didrik Bastian Juell Women 1. Marielle Thompson 2. Ophelie David 3. Katrin Mueller 4. Sanna Luedi 5. Andrea Limbacher 6. Alizee Baron 7. Katrin Ofner 8. M. Berger Sabbatel
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2012-13 World Cup Preview
MEN’S WOMEN’S THE VITALS
Tour de Ski The 2012-13 season will feature the seventh edition of the FIS Tour de Ski. The tour will kick off on Dec. 29 with a free technique prologue in Oberhof, Germany. The second stage will be in the Thuringia Forest. For the first time, a stage will be carried out in Switzerland. Swiss-fans will have a chance to cheer on Dario Cologna on his home soil in Münstertal in the free technique sprint on Jan. 1. 2011-12 Rankings Men 1. Dario Cologna 2. Devon Kershaw 3. Petter Northug Jr. 4. Marcus Hellner 5. Alexander Legkov 6. Alex Harvey
CHASE FOR CRYSTAL
Women 1. Marit Bjoergen 2. Justyna Kowalczyk 3. Therese Johaug 4. Charlotte Kalla 5. Kikkan Randall 6. Marthe Kristoffersen 2011-12 Nations Cup 1. Norway 2. Russia 3. Sweden (6. Canada)
Olympic XC action (John Evely)
DON’T MISS
X-COUNTRY /////
While Canada and the U.S. savored historic seasons, veteran Europeans targeted their own marks on the record books. For 2013, Norway’s Marit Bjoergen returns in search of her fourth title, having won in 2005, 2006 and 2012. Poland’s Justyna Kowalczyk also has three overalls and will again challenge, despite offseason knee surgery. Norway’s Therese Johaug, Sweden’s Charlotte Kalla and American sprint specialist Kikkan Randall are contenders. On the men’s side, Swiss racer Dario Cologna fended off Canada’s Devon Kershaw for the overall crown, taking his third globe. Canada’s Alex Harvey might challenge this winter, along with Sweden’s Marcus Hellner and Russian Alexander Legkov.
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After a two-year break, the World Cup returns to Canada. Quebec will host a free technique team sprint and individual free sprint from Dec. 6-8, while
Canmore host massstart distance competitions in classical technique and a free technique sprint Dec. 13-16. The tour will stop at Vieux-Québec
before hitting Canmore Nordic Centre Provincial Park for the final World Cup races in Canada prior to the 2014 Olympic Winter Games in Sochi, Russia.
MEDAL WORTHY devonkershaw.com “Here’s what you need to know about beards.” If that doesn’t get you reading Kershaw’s Corner, what will?
CANADIAN OUTLOOK
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Canada’s 2013 challenge: Top perhaps the greatest season in team history. Devon Kershaw (two golds, one silver, three bronze medals) placed second in the overall. Alex Harvey won his first World Cup race and placed sixth overall. Lenny Valjas won his first three career medals. Ivan Babikov adds podium potential. On the women’s side, Chandra Crawford found her way back to the international podium with a silver and bronze and teamed with Perianne Jones to win a bronze in a team sprint. Daria Gaiazova adds veteran experience.
top guns
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MEN Dario Cologna SUI • Fischer
WOMEN Marit Bjoergen NOR • Fischer
2010 Olympic champ
3-time overall champ
Devon Kershaw CAN • Fischer
Justyna Kowalczyk POL • Fischer
2nd in 2012 overall
3-time overall champ
Petter Northug Jr. NOR • Fischer
Therese Johaug NOR • Fischer
4 Olympic medals
2-time world champion
Marcus Hellner SWE • Fischer
Charlotte Kalla SWE • Fischer
2 Olympic medals
2010 Olympic champ
Alex Harvey CAN • Fischer
Kikkan Randall USA • Fischer
2011 world champion
2012 sprint champion
www.snowsportsculture.com / S-Competition 15
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