Lake Louise (AB), Canada – It’s been six years since a Canadian has stood on the top of the Lake Louise Alpine Ski World Cup podium. Manny Osborne-Paradis was the last Canadian to claim first place at “The Lake” in 2009, winning the super G by 0.24 seconds.

Last year Osborne-Paradis missed first place by +0.14 seconds in the men’s downhill, finishing second overall. Other Canadian Cowboys have had their turn on the podium, including Jan Hudec claiming first in 2007 and John Kucera taking first in 2006 and second in 2008.

Erik Guay, one of Canada’s most esteemed speed skiers, is returning to Lake Louise after a year off snow due to injury. His last podium finish at Lake Louise was in 2003 where he placed second in the downhill. After a full season off snow, Guay is looking to Lake Louise as the speed opener of the season, hoping to take advantage of some home turf.

“I’m really looking forward to being back on snow and excited to get into the start gate for the Lake Louise races,” says Guay. “I’ve used the last year off snow to focus on injury recovery and have been really successful at training camps leading up to the season. It’s always a great experience to race in front of Canadian fans and to be on home soil at Lake Louise.”

This weekend and again the following, the fastest skiers in the world descend upon Lake Louise for the only Canadian stop on the World Cup Alpine racing circuit. The athletes will compete in the downhill and super G disciplines with the men opening the events on November 28 and 29, followed by the ladies’ events on December 4, 5 and 6.

Canadian Ski Team Alumni Emily Brydon, Kelly Vanderbeek and Britt Janyk all cracked podium finishes on the Lake Louise track but a first-place finish still remains an elusive trophy for the Canadian women.  Canadian Ski Team rookie, 19-year-old Valérie Grenier and independent World Cup veteran Larisa Yurkiw will be the only Canadian women competing in this year’s downhill and super G events.

“I’m really looking forward to both events. Last year I just missed out on a top-30 finish, so this year I’ll be giving it my all, hoping to crack into that bracket,” said Grenier. “I feel ready after a great summer of working out in the gym and awesome on-snow training.”

LAKE LOUISE RACE DATES & START TIMES:

• Men’s Downhill Training Run – Wednesday, November 25, 11:30AM MST
• Men’s Downhill Training Run – Thursday, November 26, 11:30AM MST
• Men’s Downhill Training Run – Friday, November 27, 11:30AM MST
• Men’s Downhill 1^st Run – Saturday, December 28, 11:30AM MST
• Men’s Super G 1^st Run – Sunday, December 29, 11:00AM MST
• Ladies’ Downhill Training Run – Tuesday, December 1, 12:45PM MST
• Ladies’ Downhill Training Run – Wednesday, December 2, 12:45PM MST
• Ladies’ Downhill Training Run – Thursday, December 3, 12:45PM MST
• Ladies’ Downhill #1 1^st Run – Friday, December 4, 12:45PM MST
• Ladies’ Downhill #2 1^st Run – Saturday, December 5, 12:45PM MST
• Ladies’ Super G 1^st Run – Sunday, December 6, 11:00AM MST