World Cup Preview | 2012-2013

COMPETITION

Early Winter 2013Vol. 2, No. 1

Mike Janyk bolsters the

Canadian Charge

WORLD CUPPREVIEW

2012-13

www.snowsportsculture.com / S-Competition 3

EDITOR Don CameronEDITORIAL DIRECTOR Gordie BowlesACTING ART DIRECTOR Doris CheungSENIOR PHOTOGRAPHER Paul MorrisonSENIOR WRITER Michael Mastarciyan

CONTRIBUTORSOliver Kraus, Jules Lajoie, Marc Landry, Paul Morrison, Mike Ridewood, Ric Rowan, Kevin Stevens, ACA/Pentaphoto, Getty Images

healthy, prepared teams primed for title huntLots 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

in this issueEditor’s Note ................ 3

World Cup Preview ......4

Alpine .............................6

Freestyle ......................10

Ski Cross ......................14

Cross-Country ........... 15

COMPETITION

ENeditor’s note

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2012-13 World Cup Preview

Aksel Lund Svindal (Red Bull Content Pool)

ChasingCRYSTAL

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

alPine

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the VitalsCanada Hosts SpeedstersLake Louise Winterstart men’s speed races are Nov. 24-25.

Preying for U.S. PodiumMen hit Beaver Creek’s Birds of Prey for races Nov. 30-Dec. 2.

2011-12 RankingsDownhill1. Klaus Kroell2. Beat Feuz3. Didier CucheSuper-G1. Aksel Lund Svindal2. Didier Cuche3. Beat Feuz

2011-12 Rankings by ManufacturerDownhill1. Salomon2. Head3. AtomicSuper-G1. Head2. Salomon3. Rossignol

The Greatest Austrians Franz Klammer (25 World Cup downhill wins) and Hermann Maier (24 super-G).

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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 top-five 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.

SlalomKlaus Kroell AUT • Salomon2011-12 downhill champAksel Lund SvindalNOR • Head2007 overall champErik GuayCAN • Atomic2011 worlds DH champBode Miller USA • Head33 World Cup victoriesHannes Reichelt AUT • Salomon19 World Cup podiums

Giant SlalomBeat FeuzSUI • Head5 World Cup winsKjetil JansrudNOR • Head1 World Cup super-G winJan HudecCAN • RossignolDH silver at 2007 worldsBenni RaichAUT • Atomic36 World Cup victoriesChristof InnerhoferITA • Rossignol3 podiums at worlds

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.

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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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KITZ BLITZ hahnenkamm.com Experience the lore of the Hahnenkamm through colourful race posters at the official online race headquarters.

WEASEL HQ weaselworkers.com Without the Weasel Workers and other volunteers, races simply don’t happen. Learn more about their efforts.


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.

SlalomAndre MyhrerSWE • Nordica2010 Whistler goldIvica KostelicCRO • Fischer24 World Cup winsCristian DevilleITA • Völkl2012 Kitz SL champStefano Gross ITA • Völkl5th in 2012 SL pointsFelix Neureuther GER • Nordica6th in 2012 SL points

Giant SlalomMarcel HirscherAUT • Atomic12 World Cup winsTed LigetyUSA • Head3-time overall GS champMax BlardoneITA • Dynastar7 World Cup winsAlexis PinturaultFRA • Salomon4th in 2012 GS pointsDavid SimoncelliITA • Salomon2 World Cup wins

Adelboden, Switzer-land, 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.

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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.

the VitalsKickoff at SöldenThe traditional GS glacier opening is set for Oct. 28 at Sölden, Austria.

Tackling Beaver CreekThe Beaver Creek, Colorado, Birds of Prey course hosts a World Cup men’s GS on Dec. 2.

2011-12 RankingsSlalom1. Andre Myhrer2. Ivica Kostelic3. Marcel HirscherGiant Slalom1. Marcel Hirscher2. Ted Ligety3. Max Blardone

2011-12 Rankings by ManufacturerSlalom1. Nordica2. Völkl3. FischerGiant Slalom1. Atomic2. Head3. Salomon

The Greatest Ingemark Stenmark, the Swedish legend, leads with 46 all-time World Cup GS wins and 40 slalom wins.

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PHOTOGENIC kellyvanderbeek.com Kelly VanderBeek is a women’s speed contender. She’s also pretty nifty behind the lens.


the VitalsLake-Side AttractionsThe Lake Louise Winter-start women’s speed races are Nov. 30-Dec. 2.

World Cup FinalsThe alpine tour wraps up March 11-17 at Lenzer-heide, Switzerland.

2011-12 RankingsDownhill1. Lindsey Vonn2. Tina Weirather3. Elisabeth GoerglSuper-G1. Lindsey Vonn2. Julia Mancuso3. Anna Fenninger

2011-12 Rankings by ManufacturerDownhill1. Head2. Völkl3. AtomicSuper-G1. Head2. Völkl3. Rossignol

The GreatestAnnemarie Moser-Pröll of Austria leads with 36 all-time downhill wins. Lindsey Vonn’s 18 super-G wins are best all time.

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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 Marie-Michele Gagnon are better known as tech skiers but are increasingly dabbling in speed, especially super-G and super-combined.

DownhillLindsey VonnUSA • Head53 World Cup winsTina WeiratherLIE • Atomic2nd in 2012 DH pointsElisabeth GoerglAUT • Head2-time Olympic medallistMaria Hoefl-Riesch GER • Head2011 overall titlistLara GutSUI • Rossignol2 World Cup wins

Super-GJulia MancusoUSA • Head3-time Olympic medallistAnna FenningerAUT • Head2011 WCH winnerTina MazeSLO • Stöckli11 World Cup winsFabienne SuterSUI • Stöckli5th in 2012 SG pointsDaniela MerighettiITA • Salomon1 World Cup win

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 pres-tigious 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 tem-pered by some of the finest alpine scenery in the world.

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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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GOING CAMPIN’ erinmielzynski.com Go behind the summer camp training scene with Canada’s newest World Cup slalom star, Erin Mielzynski.


WoMen’s teChniCal Slalom/Giant Slalom

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 super-G last winter and might be hitting her prime.

SlalomMarlies SchildAUT • Atomic35 World Cup winsMichaela KirchgasserAUT • Atomic3 World Cup winsV. Velez ZuzulovaSVK • Salomon4th in 2012 SL pointsKathrin Zettel AUT • Atomic2-time WCH medallistTanja Poutiainen FIN • Fischer3-time discipline titlist

Giant SlalomViktoria RebensburgGER • Nordica2-time discipline titlistTessa WorleyFRA • Rossignol7 World Cup winsFederica BrignoneITA • Rossignol6 World Cup podiumsIrene CurtoniITA • Rossignol6 World Cup podiumsDenise KarbonITA • Fischer2008 GS titlist

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

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.

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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).

the VitalsSlalom KickoffLevi, Finland, hosts the opening slalom event of the season Nov. 10-11.

Rocky Mountain HighWomen’s World Cup tech races are set for Aspen, Nov. 24-25.

2011-12 RankingsSlalom1. Marlies Schild2. Michaela Kirchgasser3. Tina MazeGiant Slalom1. Viktoria Rebensburg2. Lindsey Vonn3. Tessa Worley

2011-12 Rankings by ManufacturerSlalom1. Atomic2. Rossignol3. FischerGiant Slalom1. Head2. Rossignol3. Nordica

The GreatestSwiss legend Vreni Schneider is the greatest female tech star of all time, with 34 slalom wins, 20 GS wins.

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Freestyle

GOLDEN MOMENT alexbilodeau.com Relive Alex Bilodeau’s historic Olympic-winning run from the Vancouver Games on his home page.


the VitalsNorwegian Gold RushThe 2013 FIS Freestyle World Ski Championships will be held at Voss, Nor-way. Skiers will compete in moguls, dual moguls, ski cross, slopestyle, halfpipe and aerials.

North American BountyIn addition to the Cana-dian 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.

2011-12 RankingsmoGulS1. Mikael Kingsbury2. Patrick Deneen3. Jeremy CotaaerialS1. Olivier Rochon2. Zongyang Jia3. Thomas Lambert

The GreatestFrance’s Edgar Grospiron is the all-time leader with 28 moguls podiums, with Canada’s Jean-Luc Bras-sard and Finland’s Janne Lahtela second with 18.

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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.

moGulSMikael KingsburyCAN • IDoneski.com2012 moguls champPatrick DeneenUSA • Hart2009 world championJeremy CotaUSA • Völkl3rd in 2012 pointsPhilippe Marquis CAN • Hart1 World Cup victoryM. Gagnon CAN • IDoneski.com1 World Cup podium

aerialSOlivier RochonCAN • IDoneski.com2012 aerials champZongyang JiaCHN • Völkl2nd in 2012 pointsThomas LambertSUI • Salomon1 World Cup winDylan FergusonUSA • Völkl2 World Cup podiumsDmitri DashinskiBLR • IDoneski.com2006 aerials champ

There are two great opportunities for Cana-dians 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 Olym-pic 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.

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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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Men’s neW sChoolHalfpipe/Slopestyle

GLOBE TROTTING fisfreestyle.com Check out photos, venue histories, results, news archives and more fun tidbits on the “Venues” page.


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.

halFpipeDavid WiseUSA • Rossignol2012 halfpipe champTorin Yater-WallaceUSA • Armada2 World Cup winsWing Tai BarrymoreUSA • K21 World Cup winNoah Bowman CAN • Moment4th in 2012 pointsTucker Perkins USA • Nordica5th in 2012 points

SlopeStYleCyrill HunzikerSUI • Armada2012 slopestyle co-champThomas WallischUSA • Scott2012 slopestyle co-champAntti-Jussi KemppainenFIN • Salomon2 World Cup podiumsAlex BellemareCAN • Armada4th in 2012 pointsColby WestUSA • Coreupt5th in 2012 points

Ski halfpipe and slopestyle will make their Olympic debut at the 2014 Sochi Games. Slopestyle requires ski-ers to showcase their full arsenal of tricks

over big jumps, techni-cal rails, boxes and innovative obstacles. Inspired by the snow-board 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).

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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.

the VitalsSummer OpenerCadrona, New Zealand, hosted the kickoff to the 2012-13 World Cup sea-son with a halfpipe com-petition Aug. 22. In the women’s event, Devin Logan of the U.S. took the win, followed by Ja-pan’s Manami Mitsuboshi and Ayana Onozuka. American Torin Yater-Wallace won the men’s event ahead of French skiers Thomas Krief and Benoit Valentin.

American SnowThere are two stops in the U.S., at Park City just before Christmas and Copper Mountain in January.

2011-12 RankingshalFpipe1. David Wise2. Torin Yater-Wallace3. Wing Tai Barrymore4. Noah Bowman5. Tucker Perkins6. Dan MarionSlopeStYle1. Cyrill Hunziker2. Thomas Wallisch3. A. Kemppainen4. Alex Bellemare5. Colby West6. Joss Christensen


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STAY CONNECTED audreyrobichaud.com Get social with a moguls World Cupper, via her personal website, Facebook and Twitter.


the VitalsCanada in SpotlightVal 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 SummarySierra Nevada, Spain, will host the freestyle Grand Final March 20-26.

2011-12 RankingsmoGulS1. Hannah Kearney2. Justine Dufour-Lapointe3. Nikola Sudova4. Heather McPhie5. Chloe Dufour-Lapointe6. Audrey RobichaudaerialS1. Mengtao Xu2. Shuang Cheng3. Olga Volkova4. Laura Peel5. Tanja Schaerer6. Fanyu Kong

The GreatestAmerican 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.

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The duel between Hannah Kearney and Mon-treal 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 Ro-bichaud. 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 Champion-ships medals. She won the AcrobatX summer ramp event thanks to three triple jumps.

moGulSHannah KearneyUSA • Völkl2-time moguls champJ. Dufour-LapointeCAN • Hart2 World Cup winsNikola SudovaCZE • Völkl3rd in 2012 pointsHeather McPhie USA • Moment1 World Cup victoryC. Dufour-Lapointe CAN • Hart2011 WCH silver

aerialSMengtao XuCHN • Völkl2012 aerials champShuang ChengCHN • Völkl2011 aerials champOlga VolkovaUKR • Völkl1 World Cup winLaura PeelAUS • Völkl1 World Cup winTanja SchaererSUI • Atomic1 World Cup podium

Deer Valley, Utah, (Jan. 31-Feb. 2) is considered one of the finest free-style 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 spec-tacular 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.

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Much like on the men’s side, North Ameri-cans dominate the women’s moguls circuit. American Hannah Kearney won 16 straight, eclipsing a mark set by alpine legend Inge-mar 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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FREESTYLE 101 freestyleski.com 101 Fine-tune your knowledge in “Freestyle 101,” with info and history of the sport, under the “Media” tab.


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 Champion-ships 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.

halFpipeBrita SigourneyUSA • K22012 halfpipe champR. GroenewoudCAN • Scott2011 WCH goldMaddie BowmanUSA • Scott3rd in 2012 pointsDevin Logan USA • Armada1 World Cup winKeltie HansenCAN • 4FRNT2011 WCH bronze

SlopeStYleKaya TurskiCAN • Scott2012 slopestyle co-champLinn-Ida MurudNOR • Salomon2012 slopestyle co-champEveline BhendSUI • K23rd in 2012 pointsChiho TakaoJPN • Armada5th in 2012 pointsEmilia WintUSA • Völkl1 World Cup podium

The freestyle World Cup tour hits one of the pioneering mountains of the freeride move-ment, 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.

don’t Miss

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.

the VitalsHowell Scores a 3rdIn 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 RankingshalFpipe1. Brita Sigourney2. Rosalind Groenewoud3. Maddie Bowman4. Devin Logan5. Anais Caradeux6. Keltie HansenSlopeStYle1. Kaya Turski1. Linn-Ida Murud3. Devin Logan4. Eveline Bhend5. Chiho Takao6. Natalia Slepecka6. Emilia Wint


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IN OUR HEARTS alpinecanada.org Alpine Canada pays tribute to Nik Zoricic with remembrances and a slideshow, under the “Ski Cross”.

the VitalsOlympic PreviewThe 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 OutWhile 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 Rankingsmen1. Filip Flisar2. Brady Leman3. Alex Fiva4. Chris Del Bosoco5. Andreas Matt6. David Duncan7. Jean Frederic Chapuis8. Didrik Bastian Juellwomen1. Marielle Thompson2. Ophelie David3. Katrin Mueller4. Sanna Luedi5. Andrea Limbacher6. Alizee Baron7. Katrin Ofner8. M. Berger Sabbatel

2011-12 Nations Cup1. Canada2. Switzerland3. France

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).

menFilip FlisarSLO • Elan3 World Cup winsBrady LemanCAN • Völkl2nd in 2012 overallAlex FivaSUI • Stöckli3rd in 2012 overallChris Del Bosco CAN • Stöckli2011 WCH gold medalistAndreas MattAUT • Salomon2010 Olympics silver

womenMarielle ThompsonCAN • Stöckli2012 overall champOphelie DavidFRA • Salomon24 World Cup winsKatrin MuellerSUI • Stöckli1 World Cup winSanna LuediSUI • Rossignol2 World Cup winsKelsey SerwaCAN • Stöckli2011 world champion

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 competi-tion, and is again on the slate for 2013-14. Cypress Mountain, B.C., hosted the 2010 Olym-pic ski cross programs.

don’t Miss

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, includ-ing 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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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?

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.

menDario ColognaSUI • Fischer2010 Olympic champDevon KershawCAN • Fischer2nd in 2012 overallPetter Northug Jr.NOR • Fischer4 Olympic medalsMarcus Hellner SWE • Fischer2 Olympic medalsAlex HarveyCAN • Fischer2011 world champion

womenMarit BjoergenNOR • Fischer3-time overall champJustyna KowalczykPOL • Fischer3-time overall champTherese JohaugNOR • Fischer2-time world championCharlotte KallaSWE • Fischer2010 Olympic champKikkan RandallUSA • Fischer2012 sprint champion

After a two-year break, the World Cup returns to Canada. Quebec will host a free tech-nique team sprint and individual free sprint from Dec. 6-8, while

Canmore host mass-start distance com-petitions in classical technique and a free technique sprint Dec. 13-16. The tour will stop at Vieux-Québec

before hitting Can-more Nordic Centre Provincial Park for the final World Cup races in Canada prior to the 2014 Olympic Winter Games in Sochi, Russia.

don’t Miss

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 spe-cialist 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.

the VitalsTour de SkiThe 2012-13 season will feature the seventh edi-tion 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 Swit-zerland. 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 Rankingsmen1. Dario Cologna2. Devon Kershaw3. Petter Northug Jr.4. Marcus Hellner5. Alexander Legkov6. Alex Harvey

women1. Marit Bjoergen2. Justyna Kowalczyk3. Therese Johaug4. Charlotte Kalla5. Kikkan Randall6. Marthe Kristoffersen

2011-12 Nations Cup1. Norway2. Russia3. Sweden(6. Canada)

2012-13 World Cup Preview

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World Cup Preview | 2012-2013