BOWLES' BLOG:

My shiny happy wishes for 2011

By Gordie Bowles, S-Media

Truth be told, 2010 was little better than an average year for Canadian snowsports. It was an epic journey for Canadian sports as a whole ― many Olympic memories will be forever etched in our minds ― but without the career-defining gold-medal Olympic moments for Ashleigh McIvor, Maelle Ricker and Jasey-Jay Anderson, it was a somewhat forgettable year for the Canuck skiers, racers and riders. The alpine team came away with the goose egg at the Olympics, although coming close on three occasions. The cross-country team had its best showing ever at an Olympic Games, but still no hardware. The freestylers saved the day, like they always do, showing consistent depth, and the alpine men’s team displayed some form of magic at most World Cup classics. If I had to pick a defining snowsports moment of 2010, it would be ski-cross racer Chris Del Bosco’s gutsy go-for-broke attitude that cost him an Olympic medal but showed us the new Canadian mettle.

Moving on to the 2011 pastures, three-long years away from the 2014 Sochi Games, I’ve put forward my editor’s wish list for the coming year:
1. Erik Guay will overcome his worst enemy ― self-expectations ― and break the tie with Ken Read on the career total World Cup medals at 14. This should happen at either Wengen or Kitzbühel. P.S.: It will take a while to catch Pod at 20.
2. Devon Kershaw will win a stage in the Tour de Ski. Possibly by the time you’re reading this blog on Monday morning (he posted his second silver medal in a row on Sunday).
3. The Canadian moguls team will continue to pump out champions. Hello Kingsbury.
4. Canadian ski cross team will sweep a World Cup podium. Wait, they’ve already done that. OK, both genders, same day.
5. Women’s ski jumping will become a fully included legit Olympic sport.
6. Britt Janyk will find her form. This will come when teammate Kelly V returns after a horrific leg injury and long rehab.
7. Speaking of rehab and leadership, John Kucera will return to the Cowboys (even if just for training) and give the team the stability it has missed in his absence.
8. Dominique Maltais will finally emerge from Maelle Ricker’s shadow when she wins the overall snowboardcross title.
9. Coastal ski resorts will recover from a disastrous 2009-10 ski season when it records a record snow year and visitors.
10. Alex Bilodeau will continue to electrify crowds and warm hearts with his winning ways and idol-worthy inspiration.

Here’s to a great year ahead. S-Magazine