Toronto, Canada – The Canadian Alpine Ski Team for the 2011 FIS World Cup ski racing season and the 2011 FIS Alpine World Ski Championships was named today by Alpine Canada Alpin (ACA) at the Panasonic Theatre in Toronto.nThe 25-member team, led by 19 Olympians including reigning overall super-G Crystal Globe winner Erik Guay, of Mont-Tremblant, Quebec, includes five World Cup winners and three FIS World Championships medalists.

Guay and Manuel Osborne-Paradis, of Vancouver, British Columbia, combined last season to win four World Cup races, the most victories for Canada in one season since 1984. John Kucera from Calgary, Alberta, the 2009 World downhill champion, is progressing toward a return to snow after suffering a leg injury last season. Whistler, British Columbia’s Michael Janyk, who provided Canada with another medal at the 2009 World Championships finishing third in the slalom, leads a deep men’s technical team while sister Britt Janyk, a World Cup winner in 2007, will provide a veteran presence to a young Canadian ladies alpine team.

“We have a talented and motivated group of top athletes that are just entering their prime in terms of ski racing experience. Our men’s speed team has proven themselves in the last few years as very capable of competing for podium spots week in and week out,” said Partick Riml, who is entering his first season as Canadian Alpine Ski Team (CAST) Athletic Director after spending two seasons leading the women’s team. “Then we have some younger athletes that will be challenging for World Cup spots through Nor-Am competition and we also have some key athletes who are working hard to return to snow after injuries. They are working with some of the top medical professionals and training staff in the country to return to the World Cup as strong as ever.”

The World Cup season officially got underway over the weekend in Sölden, Austria. It’s highlighted by the 2011 FIS Alpine World Ski Championships taking place in Garmisch-Partenkirchen, German, from February 8 to 20.

The Bombardier Lake Louise Winterstart in November and December will bring the top ski racers in the world back to Canada for the first time since the 2010 Olympic Winter Games.

“This is a significant year for Canadian ski racing off the snow as we focus our attention of pursuing the resources required for our athletes to be successful,” said ACA President Max Gartner. “Our corporate partners have done a tremendous job, helping boost alpine ski racing in Canada to new heights with the most successful Olympic cycle in our history, producing World Championship medalists and a Crystal Globe winner.”

The Canada Ski Cross Team will be announced next month while Canada’s Para-Alpine Ski Team was announced earlier this season.

CANADIAN ALPINE SKI TEAM

MEN’S TEAM – RESIDENCE (SKI CLUBS)

• François Bourque – L’Ange Gardien, QC (Pin Rouge)
• Dustin Cook – Lac Sainte Marie, QC (Mont Ste-Marie)
• Julien Cousineau – Lachute, QC (Mont-Tremblant)
• Robbie Dixon – Whistler, BC (Whistler Mountain Ski Club)
• Erik Guay – Mont-Tremblant, QC (Mont-Tremblant)
• Kelby Halbert – Bradford, ON (Toronto Ski Club)
• Louis-Pierre Hélie – Berthierville, QC (Mont-Ste-Anne)
• Jan Hudec – Calgary, AB (Banff Alpine Racers)
• Michael Janyk – Whistler, BC (Whistler Mountain Ski Club)
• John Kucera – Calgary, AB (Calgary Alpine Racing Club)
• Tyler Nella – Toronto, ON (Georgian Peaks)
• Manuel Osborne-Paradis – Vancouver, BC (Whistler Mountain Ski Club)
• Jean-Philippe Roy – Ste-Flavie, QC / Gatineau, QC (Mont-Comi)
• Brad Spence – Calgary, AB (NATC – Team Panorama)
• Trevor White – Calgary, AB (NATC – Fortress Alpine Ski Team)

LADIES TEAM – RESIDENCE (SKI CLUBS)

• Marie-Michele Gagnon – Lac-Etchemin, QC (Mont Orignal)
• Anna Goodman – Pointe Claire, QC (Mont-Tremblant)
• Britt Janyk – Whistler, BC (Whistler Mountain Ski Club)
• Kelly McBroom – Canmore, AB (Banff Alpine Racers)
• Erin Mielzynski – Guelph, ON (Georgian Peaks Ski Club)
• Brittany Phelan – Mont Tremblant, QC (Mont-Tremblant Ski Club)
• Marie-Pier Préfontaine – Saint-Sauveur, QC (Club Chanteclerc)
• Eve Routhier – Sherbrooke, QC (Mont Orford)
• Kelly VanderBeek – Kitchener, ON (Chicopee Ski Club)
• Larisa Yurkiw – Owen Sound, ON (Georgian Peaks Ski Club)