Alberta World Cup Academy Announces New Team

FasterSkier · May 15, 2009

The inaugural Alberta World Cup Academy team stormed the 2009 Canadian Cross Country Skiing Championships last March taking top spots on every day of the week-long competition. In total, the team of 15 athletes collected 22 medals and 3 overall Canadian Titles. The team also collected an additional 5 medals in the University category. Leading up to the 2009 Nationals, athletes posted numerous successes while racing at home and in Europe with six qualifying for World Championship competition.

“Winter 2009 was a remarkable success for our first year team, and the challenge is going to be – how do we sustain that momentum?” asks Racing Director Mike Cavaliere. “We have now taken the month of April to reflect, evaluate and I am confident that we have assembled the team that can do just that: out-perform our 2009 success.”

Following selections that assess performance, commitment and career goals, the Alberta World Cup Academy Team 2009-2010 has now been announced. In the coming season 20 top performing athletes from clubs across Canada will be wearing the Academy colors:

Kate Brennan, Ottawa ON
Joey Burton, Kamloops BC
Chris Butler, Thunder Bay ON
Jordan Cascagnette, Penetanguishene ON
Jess Cockney, Canmore AB
Brooke Gosling, Canmore AB
Sara Hewitt, Calgary AB
Annika Hicks, Canmore AB
Rhonda Jewett, Canmore AB
Gord Jewett, Canmore AB
Marlis Kromm, Calgary AB
Alysson Marshall, Salmon Arm BC
Emily Nishikawa, Whitehorse YK
Dan Roycroft, Canmore AB
Kevin Sandau, Canmore AB
Terrell Stephen, Calgary AB
Bob Thompson, Toronto ON
Heidi Widmer, Banff AB
Madeleine Williams, Canmore AB
Lucas Youngmann, Canmore AB

“Winter 2010. Those two words have inspired Olympic excitement in Canada since Whistler was announced as the host venue in July 2003.” says Academy Chair Ken Hewitt. “Every serious winter athlete in Canada has a back of mind prayer for Selection to the Olympic Team 2010. And the roster of athletes announced today lists at least seven names that are within striking distance of that dream.”

The Alberta World Cup Academy Team departs May 10 for their on-snow camp at Silver Star Mountain in B.C.

For more information, Contact
Racing Director: Mike Cavaliere (mcavaliere@albertaworldcup.com)
World Cup Academy: Ken Hewitt (khewitt@albertaworldcup.com)

BACKGROUNDER:
The Alberta World Cup Academy arose from the success of the Alberta World Cup events of 2005 and 2008, as well as the legacy of the Canmore Nordic Centre refurbishment of 2005.

The Academy is designed to support Alberta’s and Canada’s path to international excellence in the sport of cross-country skiing.

AWCA is a project of the XC World Cup Society (“XCWCS” or, the “Society”). A registered Alberta not-for-profit society, the Society was formed in 2004 by its founding clubs, Foothills Nordic Ski Club (based in Calgary) and Canmore Nordic Ski Club. Working in partnership with Cross Country Canada, the Government of Alberta, Sport Canada and the local corporate community, the Society successfully organized and hosted the Alberta Centennial World Cup 2005 (“WC2005”) and the Alberta World Cup 2008 (“WC2008”).

The Academy project provides a permanent vehicle for the Society’s sport development initiatives, and serves to reiterate the Society’s continued leadership and commitment to enhancing the viability of elite cross-country skiing at both the provincial and national levels. The Society has invested $115K of legacy capital to launch the Academy and help fund its initial program development. Day-to-day operation of the Academy is overseen by a subcommittee of the Society that reports directly to its Board of Directors. With the overwhelming success of WC2005 and WC2008 the Society has a demonstrated track record of delivering fiscal responsibility, effective stewardship, and achievement of project goals.

The same volunteer effort and support put into delivering successful international events is also being used to drive the sport development initiatives of the Academy. People who are inspired by pursuit of a passion are invited to become part of a growing support group that includes volunteers, donors, and sponsors. (Details can be found at www.albertaworldcup.com)