ALPINE:

Weir joins Canada Ski Cross; ambitious event slate set

Nov. 13, 2010 — Alpine Canada  

Canada Ski Cross is expanding the number of domestic race events following a surge in interest after the 2010 Olympic Winter Games, the governing body for ski cross in Canada announced.

CSX Director Dave Ellis said the national sport organization is expanding the number of domestic races this season and has hired Chad Weir, who has 15 years of combined experience in alpine and ski cross race events including a stint as chief of start and starter at the 2010 Olympic Winter Games. Weir will be the director of national programs and events.

"Ski cross has experienced a noticeable peak in interest among young Canadians following the 2010 Olympic Winter Games. We are now increasing the amount of resources aimed at growing our sport domestically and at the provincial level, so that we can continue developing Olympic champions like Ashleigh McIvor in the future," said Ellis.

The 2010-11 race schedule will include Nor-Am Cup races at Blue Mountain, Ontario; Big White, B.C., and Red Mountain, B.C.; along with a World Cup race at Blue Mountain and the Canadian championships at Lake Louise.

"Our focus for domestic events this coming season is to continue building the scale, efficiencies and 'cool factor' of ski cross as we increase the number of events," said Weir.

"We are committed to increasing the number of officials, volunteers, coaches and ski cross courses, so that more kids can experience the sport of ski cross while at the same time, bringing ski cross and our athletes closer to the general public," Weir added.

Ski cross made is debut in Canada in the winter of 2007, with Canada Ski Cross establishing a World Cup team for the 2008-09 season.

Canada Ski Cross finished on top of the FIS Nations Cup standings last season, led by McIvor, who became the first women's Olympic ski cross champion in 2010, and 2010 Winter X-Games gold medallist Chris Del Bosco.

The 2011 FIS World Championships take place at Deer Valley, Utah, with races scheduled for Feb 3 and 4. The FIS World Cup stops in Canada, at Blue Mountains, the following week.  S-Magazine

Canada Ski Cross 2010-11 Race Schedule:

WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS

Deer Vally, Utah

X-GAMES

WORLD CUP

NOR-AM CUP

CANADIAN CHAMPIONSHIPS