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Thanks to Michel Landry for this great picture of the Ladies Podium on December 5th.

Maria Reisch (GER), Lindsay Vonn (USA), Emily Brydon (CAN)

ACA Applauds Volunteer Effort

CALGARY, AB (December 8, 2009) - Alpine Canada Alpin (ACA) is applauding the efforts of hundreds of volunteers following the completion of two weeks of World Cup ski racing in Lake Louise.

ACA President Gary Allan praised the Race Organizing Committee and all event volunteers, adding that the 2009 Bombardier Lake Louise Winterstart was one of the most successful ever both on and off the race hill.

"Thanks to the tireless work of the Sled Dogs, as Lake Louise volunteers are known, the World Cup speed season is off to a successful start. Their effort is the driving force of ski racing in Canada and has provided a boost to our teams as this important season gets underway," Allan said.

"I would also like to thank Bombardier for once again presenting the opening World Cup races of the season at Lake Louise as well as the support of all our partners and the cooperation of the Chateau Lake Louise and Lake Louise Ski Area," he added.

For the second time in the history of Word Cup ski racing in Lake Louise, Canadians achieved three podium results. Manuel Osborne-Paradis (Vancouver, BC) won the men's super-G while Emily Brydon (Fernie, BC) finished second and then third in consecutive ladies downhill races.

Off the hill, Minister of State (Sport) Gary Lunn announced on Sunday that that the Government of Canada will provide funding of $250,000 to Alpine Canada Alpin for the 2009 Bombardier Lake Louise Winterstart World Cup through Sport Canada's Hosting Program.

The volunteer effort continues in Lake Louise this week, with the opening Northwest Funds Coupe Nor-Am Cup races.

Snow Control - November 14

The Lake Louise Winterstart Men's races received approval from the FIS to proceed with the opening speed races of the 2010 World Cup season after an inspection of conditions on the mountain Saturday. FIS Race Director Helmut Schmalzl, Men’s Chief of Race Darrell MacLachlan and others participated in the snow control tour.

“We are very pleased with today’s decision by FIS and excited about the conditions for the upcoming men’s World Cup races in Lake Louise,” said MacLachlan, following the approval which is required before any races proceed on the World Cup Circuit.

“We have had excellent cooperation from management and staff at Lake Louise Ski Area as we prepared for today and I also commend the many hours of work put in by the Sled Dogs, our hard-working volunteers, to get us to where we are at,” MacLachlan said.

Snow control for Ladies' racing will take place next week.

DOG DU JOUR - THE ORIGINAL DOG

COLIN GORDON
Aka: Exalted Sled Dog
Hometown: Calgary, AB
Ski Club: Banff Alpine Racers, Sled Dog Alpine
Race Time Hangout: Fallaway

(because that’s where we left him)
Favourite Place to Ski: Where the pitches are steep and the snow deep
Lake Louise Memory: Road trip to meet his newborn grandson in 1999




Chief of Course, Ladies' Technicals, at the '88 Olympics in Calgary, Colin was the mastermind behind many a caper and not so silent leader of various other indulgences. It was under his stewardship that the Sled Dogs were born. He served our sport at every level including Chairmain of Alberta Alpine, Vice Chairman of Alpine Canada, Techincal Delegate with the FIS and as Chief of Race at Lake Louise.

Colin passed away suddenly in the fall of 2001 and in his honour, and that of all founding Sled Dogs, the Second Generation is charged with carrying their spirit to the Games in 2010.

It is Colin's initals that grace the left ski of the Sled Dog logo: CG.

CHEF DU JOUR - GEO

GEORGE MOTTER

Chief of Slippers & Utility HalfBack - Men's

Aka: Geo
Hometown: Calgary, AB

Residence: Calgary - but cowboy hats give me a headache
Ski Club: Alberta Masters
Race Time Hangout: All over the hill

Favorite Place to Ski: Westcastle Drifter
Lake Louise Memory: Forerunning a NorAm SG a few years ago and equalling a result from MANY years earlier

CHEF DU JOUR - MONSIEUR BOYCE

DON BOYCE

Chief of Gates - Men's
Aka: Yellow Flag One
Hometown: Summerside, PEI
Residence: Edmonton, AB
Ski Club: Rabbit Hill
Race Time Hangout: Oly Crossing
Favorite Place to Ski: Charlie’s Bowl – Marmot Basin
Lake Louise Memory – Gunther said I was perfect.

CHEF DU JOUR - BOB

BOB FALLS
Crew Chief - Men's
Aka: B.O.B.
Hometown: Montreal, Que
Residence: Calgary, AB
Ski Club: Kananaskis Alpine Racers; National Alpine Training Centre
Race Time Hangout: The Curtain
Favourite Place to Ski: Cruisers & Bumps, Panorama, BC
Lake Louise Memory: 11 Successful World Cups

CHEF DU JOUR - DAVE

DAVE MAHLOW
Chief of Equipment - Men's
Aka: Mahlow
Hometown: Edmonton, AB
Residence: Grande Prairie, AB
Ski Club: Nitehawk Alpine Ski Team
Race Time Hangout: All Over the Course
Favourite Place to Ski: Powder King, BC
Lake Louise Memory: “Live to Dye” or is it “Dye to Live” I don’t know I don’t do that job any more!!

CHEF DU JOUR - J LO

JIM LONG
Crew Chief – Men's
Aka: J-LO
Hometown: here - Calgary, AB
Residence: here - like above
Ski Club: Paskapoo
Race Time Hangout: Lone Pine with Helmut
Favourite Place to Ski: anywhere with snow
Lake Louise Memory: “What the fluck, over”

CHEF DU JOUR - TARCHUK

RANDY TARCHUK
Crew Chief- Men’s
Aka: Papa, Tarchuk
Hometown: Banff, AB
Residence: Banff, AB
Ski Club: Banff Alpine Racers
Race Time Hangout: Floating around
Favourite Place to Ski: Panorama BC
Lake Louise Memory: Daybreak on Top of the World

ed: I don't remember that sign being anywhere near either race track at Whistler!