This is going to be a fun race to watch. 35m skis, nobody with an outright advantage, anyone can win. My pick is Ted Ligety to take it. He loves the hill, he has shown he can tear it up on the 35m skis as seen in this video,(its worth a watch,pretty awesome skiing)

But other than Ligety being the minor favourite, anyone can win. Its truly up in the air. Hirscher the reigning GS champ apparently hasn’t had much trouble adjusting to the new skis. Or at least he’s not having major problems with them. Pinterault is out because of injury so he is out of the question. Max Blardone and Benni Raich grew up on straight skis so they may have a slight advantage, but at 33 and 34 they may not have the strength to pull off the new skis as well as the younger stronger guys.

Podium Predictions: 1.)Ligety, 2.)Hirscher, 3.)Up in the air. Honestly anyone can come up and pop one on race day.

Mens Alberta Ski Team Review (per request):

• Jeff Bell (Prospect Group) (1993): This guy is a monster, just a huge guy. A overall good skier. 36 GS, 40 SL, and 43 SG. Great feel for the snow. He needs to drop his points big time to make it to the national team.
• Curtis Mckillop (1993): Another solid all around skier. 37 SL, 41 GS, 46 SG. Look for him to step up in GS and SG next year.
• Kevyn Read (1994): This kid isn’t big for his age, but man does he have the skill. He has the same amount of potential as his older brother Erik, and that is saying something! He just has to put it all together. 38 SL, 41 GS, 46 SG. Very good overall. 
  
• Tony Naciuk (1994): This guy was on and off last year but when he is on he can THROW DOWN. He has been taring it up since he was a little kid. He has a Didier Cuche like build and his best event is no doubt SG with an 8th place at Spring Series. 41 GS/SG.
• Rob Greig (1994): This guy might look funny in SL but he does tare it up! A solid all around skier. His best event is SL with 41 points, he also 51 GS, 57 SG.
• Jonas Haehlen (1993): Angles. This pretty much describes him. He can LAY IT OVER. Has big potential especially in SL. 46 points in SL, 54 GS, and 57 in SG.
• Matt Monod (1995): The first of the 2 young guns on this team. Matt skis with complete skill and smoothness. He is a great tech skier skiing to 49 in SL and 52 GS.
• Russell Ronsky (1995): He burst onto the scene this year, killing it in everything! He skied to 47 points in GS, 51 SG, and 55 SL even though he was quick enough to score 40′s he just couldn’t put 2 together.
• -Prospects- 
• Mike Gillespie (1996): Amazing feel for snow, lots of potential.
  
• Devon Hawkins (1995): 60′s across the board last year. Solid overall skier.
• Daniel McNair (1995): 60′s across the board. Showed flashes of brilliance in GS.

Marcel Hirscher and Atomic have done something than hasn’t been done before. A personal ski line. A new SL ski with his own custom design. Along with that a new custom helmet design and a new clothing line. All sporting his new “MH” symbol. He has a new website, and a new revamped image. With all of this hype and talk lets see if he can put together another incredible season. He sure has the ability too.

A few weeks ago the Canadian Prospect Group was announced. It is a strong/deep men’s group this year, on the women’s side there is a lot of young potential. This is not a team that will travel together. This is just a title for the athlete. They will get Nor-Am entry fees erased and will be able to get better skis from Europe.

Men’s Team:

• Ford Swette (1993, BC): had 2 UNREAL races at Panorama in GS, putting him at 12 points (#101 in the world). The reason he is not on the national team is because he is (basically) a GS specialist. To make the team next year he needs to win a Nor-Am or heavily drop his SL or SG points. Look for a podium at 2013 WJC.
• Tyler Werry (1991, BC): had a good season this year. Totally stepped up his tech skiing. He has 17 points in GS now (his lowest points). A GREAT glider, he is unlucky because he is made for DH and it is basically gone in Canada. At his age he has to make the step to the National team next year.
• Broderick Thompson (1994, BC): Youngest athlete in the group (only 94), but also the most naturally talented skier in the group. He can pull off almost anything. He has the ability to ski low teens in SL, 20′s in GS, and 20′s in SG next year. If it is soft conditions at the WJC look for him to turn some heads.
• Simon-Claude Toutant (1991, QC): Fast GS skier. Needs to lower points in SL and SG a lot to make full team next year.
• Morgan Megarry (1993, ON): Very fast overall skier. 20 points in GS, 30 in SL and 40 in SG. Being from the east he will know what to expect at the WJC next year. Look for him to shine on home soil.
• Andrew Solomon (1992, ON): Solid overall skier. 26 GS, 35 SG and 40 SL
• William St.Germain (1992, QC): Very fast overall. 25 GS, 30 SG and 31 SL
• Philippe Rivet (1992, QC): Fast tech. 30 GS and SL
• Chris Steinke (1993, QC): Fast overall. 25 GS, 31 SL, and 48 SG
• Jeff Bell (1993, AB): Powerful skier. 36 GS, 40 SL, and 43 SG
• Robert Overing (1993, NB): Coming from NB, 28 GS, 36 SL, and 37 SG is pretty great!

• Roger Carry (1993, BC): an incredibly hard worker. Gets the most improved award for Canada this year. Skiing to 31 SL, 39 GS, and 62 SG. A 42 point drop in SL!!!, 20 point drop in GS, and a 30 point drop in SG! Look for him to make the jump next year.

Women’s Team:

• Roni Remme (1996!!!, ON): This girl has been the best since she was a kid, winning Whistler Cup with multiple podiums every year. Her incredible work ethic will keep her on the road to the top for years to come. She met everyones expectations skiing to 28 points in SL, 46 in GS, coming 2nd at Junior Olympics SL, and coming 3rd at Nationals SL 2nd run (10 overall starting 39th).
• Valerie Grenier (1996!!!, QC): Another phenom in canadian skiing. She is an incredible skier. Technically SOUND, a great athlete, and can attack a course. She crushed it this year skiing to 35 GS, 53 Sg (both top 10 in the world) and 52 in SL.
• Mikaela Tommy (1995!, QC): an amazing overall skier. She skied to 24 GS!, 44 SL, and 58 SG. Look for her to be a BIG factor on home turf home at the WJC in Quebec.
• Candace Crawford (1994, ON)
• Stephanie Gould (1994, QC)
• Julia Roth (1993, ON)
• Tianda Carroll (1993, AB)
• Sarah Freeman (1992, BC)
• Sarah Elliot (1992, BC)
• Natalie Knowles (1992, ON)
• Stephanie Marcil (1992, QC)

• Meg Currie (1995, ON): 29 SL, 48 GS, and 68 SG
• Adrienne Poitras (1995, ON): 36 SL, 42 GS, and 90 SG
• Jenna Mcintyre (1995, AB): 34 GS, 52 SL, and 66 SG
• Charley Field (1995, BC): 39 GS, 57 SL, and 57 SG

Over the last few weeks the Canadian ski team has been announced. It is a VERY similar group to last year. With only 3 “new” additions to the team. (*Seen below*) They aren’t really new at all. With Trevor Philp, Conrad Pridy (CAST Invite over the year), and Eli Terwiel (skied for U of Vermont) all having already skied in world cups. Conrad and Eli have already scored points. While Philp had an unreal year killing it on the Nor-Amcircuit while racing for Denver university.

Men:

The team is identical to last year besides L-P Helie retiring to ski cross. The team is coming off a very strong year in speed, a sub-par year in SL and besides JP Roy, nothing in GS. Next year every group has the ability to make great improvements. Here they are:

Dustin Cook, Lac-Sainte-Marie, Que. , Mont-Sainte-Marie
Julien Cousineau, Lachute, Que., Mont-Tremblant
Robbie Dixon, Whistler, B.C., Whistler Mountain Ski Club
Erik Guay, Mont-Tremblant, Que., Mont-Tremblant
Jan Hudec, Calgary, Alta., Banff Alpine Racers
Michael Janyk, Whistler, B.C., Whistler Mountain Ski Club
John Kucera, Calgary, Alta., Calgary Alpine Racing Club
Manuel Osborne-Paradis, Vancouver, B.C., Whistler Mountain Ski Club                           *Conrad Pridy, Whistler, B.C., WMSC: *Look for a top 10 on WC next year!*
Jean-Philippe Roy, Ste-Flavie, Que., Mont-Comi
Brad Spence, Calgary, Alta., NATC/Panorama Ski Club
Ben Thomsen, Invermere, B.C., Windermere Valley Ski Club
Trevor White, Calgary, Alta., NATC/Fortress Alpine Ski Team

Last years C-Team or “Devo team” (The very close Future of Canadian skiing) have been on a steady stride to the top of CAST. Look for these boys to kill it next year on the Nor-Am and World Cup Circuits. These guys include (All born from 1990-92):

1. Erik Read, Alta., Banff Alpine Racers: Nor-Am Overall Winner 2012
2. *Trevor Philp, Alta,Banff Alpine Racers: Unbelievable young talent in Canadian skiing.
3. Philip Brown, Ont., Craigleith: Nor-Am Winner in GS. Sub 10 points in GS
4. Sasha Zaitsoff, BC, Red Mountain Racers: Look for a Nor-Am SL/GS win next year.
5. Morgan Pridy, BC, WMSC: Look for a Nor-Am DH win and a few WC starts
6. Andy Trow, Alta., Sunshine Ski Club: ***Going to ski for University next year. We wish him luck in the next years.

Women:

The girls team had a GREAT year on the tech side (with virtually no speed team). Mitch Gagnon killed it in SL, SC, and even GS. Obviously Erin Mielzynski getting her win in SL. This group of girls is extremely young with lots of promise. Get ready for the Women’s CAST to turn some heads next year. The girls include:

Marie-Michèle Gagnon, Lac-Etchemin, Que., Mont-Orignal
Madison Irwin, Toronto, Ont., Craigleith
Madison McLeish, Whistler, B.C., Alberta Ski Academy
Erin Mielzynski, Guelph, Ont., Georgian Peaks
Brittany Phelan, Mont-Tremblant, Que., Mont-Tremblant
Marie-Pier Préfontaine, Saint-Sauveur, Que., Mont Saint-Sauveur
Ève Routhier, Sherbrooke, Que., Mont-Orford
*Elli Terwiel, Heffley Creek, B.C., Sun Peaks Alpine Club
Kelly VanderBeek, Kitchener, Ont., Chicopee
Larisa Yurkiw, Owen Sound, Ont., Georgian Peaks.

BOLD= BC skiers. HUGE Contingent on the team this year. BC Skiing is looking strong!

Coming Soon: CAST prospects and 2018 Olympic and 2017 World Championship sites.

35 meter radius GS skis. This has been the main talk in the ski racing world for the last year. Next season the 35m rule will come into effect on World Cup and Europa Cup. The debate has and still is raging about if they are safe or not. Almost every athlete on World Cup and in the rest of the ski racing world does not want this to happen. As well as most coaches and fans. The main voice against the rule has been Ted Ligety. He was the most outraged about the rule, BUT he probably felt pretty stupid when he won the 2nd run of world cup finals on those skis! This shows that these skis still are fast, but this still does not make them safe or more exciting. For example Jon Olsson posted an article/video about the skis. He says they feel SUPER sketchy (dangerous), boring, and harder to ski on. To see his post click here! ( http://jon-olsson.com/?p=8795 ).

^Kjetil Aamodt on his way to win 1993 world championships on 33m GS skis…

In my opinion the rule is pretty stupid. It will take lots excitement out of GS, and I think people are going to take more risks (because they will need too) with the new skis. Next year, in my opinion, there will be a few more injuries (but not a lot more) and more crashes in GS (even a few straddles). These are my thoughts on the rule, post a comment telling me your opinion.

-The season has only been over for around a month now and there has already been a number of athletes who have switched ski companies. Here’s a list of who has switched and why I think they did.

Julia Mancuso: Volkl (lange boots) to HEAD. I think the main reason Julia switched is because most of the top Women, especially in speed, are on HEAD. Money was probably a big factor to.

Romed Baumann: Solomon to Blizzard. This is a weird switch considering Baumann is a Speed/GS skier and Blizzard only has slalom skiers on the world cup. The main reason I think he left Solomon is because he was 3rd in line on the team after Feuz and Kroell. On Blizzard he will have tons of service, pretty much his own speed team.

Beat Feuz: Solomon to HEAD. Not surprising, being 2nd in line in service for DH skis at Solomon after Kroell, and Cuche retiring. He will take Cuche’s role as #1 for DH at HEAD, he will also most likely take Cuche’s service man (Chris Krause), who is extremely good at what he does. Also he probably got offered BIG money to switch.

Philip Schoerghofer: Atomic to Fischer. A bit surprising considering Atomic/Solomon (same company/skis) had the best GS team by far last year. I think Fischer has made a good 35 meter ski next year (with Grange switching to). Another reason I think he made the switch is because he wants to start racing SL’s on world cup next season, and he was on originally on Fischer before switching to Atomic.

J-B Grange: Rossignol to Fischer. After not having a good season what so ever in SL, he needed a switch to get things going again. Again, another reason I think he switched is because I think Fischer made a good 35 meter GS ski.

Reinfred Herbst: Blizzard to Fischer. After winning the SL title a few years back, Herbst has dropped off the map. He needs a change and he has chose to switch to another slalom company Fischer.

Other News: Sad news broke recently. Leki poles Owner and CEO Klaus Lenhart died in a plane crash. Condolances to his Wife and Children. RIP

Didier Cuche signs with the Kjus brand and becomes “Brand Ambassador” good luck to him and his new occupation. We will miss you Didier!

–Tyler Werry (National Prospect Team/BC team) (1991) is a guy who is just on the verge of making the full prospect team. He skied better tech than ever this year scoring teens in GS, 20′s in SG, 30′s in DH, and 30′s in SL (pretty good considering he had 50 SL last year, you can thank Dykster for that huge improvement). –Ford Swette (1993) a GS skier, skied well in GS all year scoring 20′s consistently, but at the end of the year in Panorama (where he skies extremely well) a he put down 2 unbelievable races. Scoring a 12 and a 13, and beating most of the national team. These results put him 2nd in the world for 93′s to finish off the year. Watch out for him at 2013 World juniors, if he keeps it up he will be a serious contender in GS. –Roger Carry (1993) is an interesting story. After 3 years of FIS he was not on the BC team and was skiing 58 points in GS, 70′s in SL and 90′s’s in SG. He got invited to the BC team selection camps over the offseason. After the spring he was 3-4 seconds off the rest of the team in training. Then after a month of training with the team, at Hood in august he was winning timed runs with the whole team. After the offseason he invited to be on the team! This year he skied well and hit 39 points in GS, 31 in SL, and 62 in SG. A pretty big drop in 1 season!                                            –Broderick Thompson (1994) has been the phenom is BC skiing ever since he was a kid. He won Whistler Cup in K2, and made the BC team after first year FIS.  After scoring 30′s in Tech and 50′s in SG after 2nd year, he was poised to do great this season. In Chile in the offseason he was beating Chris Frank and Tommy Ford (both in the teens in SL points) in SL training! Trouble struck when he broke his wrist after the speed Nor-Ams at Panorama. After 3 months of healing, in his first 2 SL’s back he came 1st and 2nd. Scoring a 39 and a 41! At Panorama spring series he disappointingly skied out in both sl’s. In GS he scored in the 40′s in both races (he did not score this year in GS so he will be penalized). He skied great in the SG’s dropping his points to 39. At mission ridge (USA) and Norquay to end the year he scored 2 low 30 results to put his SL points at 31. Look for him to score 20′s even teens next year. The amount of skill he has is unbelievable.       –Martin Grasic (1995) After being 1st in Canada in the tech events for 95′s (a very good/deep year of skiers) he repeated his performance this year staying in 1st in both tech diciplines. Scoring 40′s right of the bat in GS, then coming 10th at the 1st ever youth olympics in SL. After that he went on to Win the J1 National Championships in GS. At Panorama spring series (his home hill), he dropped his SL points to 41, but in the GS’s he crushed it, scoring a 30 and a 33 putting him at 32 GS points (3rd in the world for 95′s).   –Brodie Seger (1995) After being the top speed skier in Canada for 95′s, this year he stepped up his tech skiing. Skiing to 42 SL points (2nd in Canada for 95′s), 47 in GS (4th in Canada) and 46 in SG (2nd by 2 points to Blake Ramsden, but 20 points ahead of 5th). Brodie is a technically sound skier who should excel in every event next year.

Next Year’s Additions?:                                                                                                                 Skiers almost definitely on the team **Now are both Officially on the team**:

–Blake Ramsden (1995) he just missed out on the team last year, but he skied like he should have been on it. Blake crushed this season. Winning both Apex SG’s by seconds scoring a 44 and 43, and scoring a low 50 in GS. At Red Mtn he scored a 47 in GS. He placed 2nd at J1 Nationals SG, but in the GS he had a huge crash and tore his ACL. Blake is making good recovery progress and we wish him well with the rest of his recovery. Blake’s weakest event is SL, but his level of SG and GS should put him on the team.             –Patrick Carry (1995) the younger Carry brother skied well this year scoring 51 point’s in GS, 62 in SL, and 70 in SG. His season was highlighted by coming 2nd at J1 Nationals in GS, and scoring a 46 in GS at Red Mtn. There are rumours that Patrick has already made the team. He is a GREAT gs skier. Look for him to score 30′s in GS next year.

Invitees for this offseason?:        

–Dominic Unterberger (1994) he has broken his leg twice in the past 3 years. Pretty unlucky. This was his first full season in FIS. He skied consistent 50′s and 60′s in tech this year. Highlighted by a 46 in SL in the last race of the year. He got his points to 48 in SL, 60 GS and 76 SG. This guy has the ability to ski 30′s in GS, he just has to put 2 together.–Austin Llewellyn (1995) this guy can lay it over in SL, but he couldn’t break into the mid 50′s this year. Skiing to 59 points. His year was highlighted with a 3rd Place in SG at J1 Nationals. 76 SG points this season. Austin hasn’t figured out GS yet, he needs to get his points down (skied to 70 GS this season) to make the team. Austin has flashes of brilliance especially in SL. He has the ability to ski 30′s in SL next year.                              –Charlie Renzoni (1995) he didn’t have a great season with consistency. Last off-season  he was skiing the best for 95′s in BC. He could not put 2 good runs together this year. He still managed to ski to 61 SL, 73 GS, and 77 SG. With the angles he generates and how great of an athlete he is, he has the ability to cut his tech points in half next year.

Top first years in BC:  There is a small group of strong 96‘s in BC, all are very similar in skill level. Every one of these guys has the ability to make the team after next season.   –Marc Leroux: similar style/bulid to Martin Grasic, high skill level. Silky smooth.         –Lachlan Hicks: a natural athlete, skied fast tech this season. Very consistent.             –Paul Cotton: The biggest J1 in BC (over 2oo lbs).Very technically solid/powerful skier. –Will Walton: Also a big kid, good athlete, very gifted speed skier, great feel for snow. –Stuart Finley: Natural athlete, good feel, very smooth, natural GS skier.

***Sam Mulligan & Riley Seger: (1997′s) not coming into FIS next year, but when they do, watch out. These 2 boys are the next Phenom’s of BC skiing.* 2 to keep an eye on.

Racing Development in Canada and the USA is very different. People are still wondering what is better. In Canada there are Provincial teams for the top skiers from the age of 17 and up. In the USA you are with your club/academy, then you move up to the national team earlier than in Canada, most athletes in the states ski for academies, compared to canada where clubs are more prevalent.

Canadian Development: Example (Devo in BC): When you hit FIS after your first year if you are extremely good and make criteria, you may get on the BC team. For example Martin Grasic (1995), he was 1st in Canada in GS and SL, points in the 50′s for tech (scored a 38 as a first year at spring series!) and 86 for speed, and Brodie Seger (1995), 1st in Canada for SG and DH with 70′s in GS, SL and SG. Both these athletes made the team going into 2nd year FIS last year. Provincial teams points range from 50′s to low teens

.

Last year Alpine Canada introduced the prospect team (C-Team). This team is full of Canada’s future alpine stars. Ranging from the age of 1990-1992. This team includes Erik Read (1991, 2012 Nor-Am overall Champion), Trevor Philip (1992, youngest on the team, nor-am winner, 4th at world juniors SL this year), Philip Brown (1991, 9 point GS skier, Nor-am winner), Sasha Zaitsoff, (1990, points in teens in SL, GS, and SG), Andy Trow (1991, points in low 20′s in GS, SL, and SG), and Morgan Pridy (1990, points, 19 in GS, 20′s in SL, SG and DH). All the athletes continued on the team this year, except Trevor Philip who went to Denver College. After that team there are a few guys in between, skiing euro cups and a few world cups (B-Team). After that it is the full blown A-team.

American Development: For guys in the states if you are good (30 points or lower in 2 events) you make the D or C team going into 4th year FIS. Before that you are either brought up through the club or academy system. After getting on the team you have to work your way up throughout the ranks. The D and C teams race Nor-am’s, B-Team races Europa Cups and A-Team is World cup.

So what is better, the Canadian club-provincial-national system. Or the American club/academy-national system. Is it better staying with your club or moving to a provincial team in-between? There is no outright way of figuring it out. In my opinion I think the Canadian way is better, but they are very similar on for world cup athlete output.

Still to come: 2011-12 BC Ski Team/Prospects Review, Ski company changes, ski length debate

Lindsey Vonn is back on top after losing out on the Overall last year. She blew away the field, by amassing the 1980 points, (the 2nd most all time to hermann maier’s 2000 points) she destroyed 2nd place (Tina Maze) by 578 points! Maria Hoefl-Riesch had a slow start to the season, after her overall winning performance last year, but picked up speed in the middle and continued it till the end of the season to finish 3rd in the overall standings.

DH and SG: Lindsey Vonn. That is all that needs to be said in the speed disciplines. Even tho she did get beat a few times, her performance was unbelievable as usual. A few skiers had great breakout seasons. Tina Weirather and Anna Fenninger were the surprises in DH and SG. They came 2nd and 3rd overall in there respected disciplines.

GS: Viktoria Rebensburg is the outright best women’s GS skier in the world right now.

She has the best initiation of the turn which gives her the ability to gain the most speed down the fall line. Lindsey Vonn surprised everyone by winning the Solden GS opener this year, but she was not fast enough to catch Rebensburg. Worley and Fenninger were on the second level along with Vonn, they all had over 440 points but nothing to compare to Rebensburg’s 650.

Slalom: Marlies Schild. Until the last 3 races in the season, she won every one she finished (6). The next best SL skier this year was Michaela Kischgasser. She had consistent top 10′s and a couple of wins to go with that. There were lots of surprises this year. The emergence of the wonder child Mikaela Shiffin getting a podium at Lienz. But that did not compare to the craziest race of the year. Ofterschwang. With a great Canadian girl Erin Mielzynsky coming out of nowhere from bib 24 to #1!!!!! also Resi Steigler with a great performance going from 35 to #2! It was just unbelievable.

-Dark Horse: Marie Michelle Gagnon. She stepped it up this year with a top 5 and a bunch of top 10′s, not only in SL but in SC and GS to. She finished 10th in the SL standings this year, but watch out next year, I think she will pop up into the top 5.

Still To Come: North American Development, Ski company switches, ski length debate