Lake Louise (AB), Canada – Members of the Canadian Alpine Ski Team wore unique race suits during this weekend’s World Cup alpine ski races in Lake Louise, paying tribute to the iconic red suit worn by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP).nThe custom graphic suits, designed by Spyder Active Sports of Boulder, Colo., mimic the appearance of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police scarlet tunic, complete with imitation cross-strap, belt and breeches. The suit design was intended to pay tribute to the RCMP, who present the podium finishers each year during the awards ceremony at Lake Louise World Cup.

“Earlier this year Erik and I were down in Boulder, and we were talking with Spyder and they said we could make whatever design of downhill suit we wanted. But they had already made a pretend mock-up of a Mountie suit just as a joke, and we just kind of said, ‘Hey, that’s perfect. That’s the one we like. Maybe we can wear it in a race,’” said competitor Manuel Osborne-Paradis, of North Vanvouver, British Columbia.

“The RCMP are at Lake Louise every year to hand out the winner’s medals,” racer Erik Guay, of Mont-Tremblant, Quebec, added. “And we thought it would be a good tribute. Now we just have to be on the podium so the actual Mounties can give us those medals.”