ACA ANNOUNCE CANADIAN WORLD UNIVERSITY GAMES ALPINE TEAM

 CALGARY, Alberta (Jan. 4, 2001) - Alpine Canada Alpin (ACA) announced the two coaches and 12 athletes that will represent Canada next February in Poland at the Winter World University Games.

ACA Athletic Director, Joze Sparovec, announced that Ken Vogel of Collingwood, Ontario and Sue Schwartz, of Calgary, Alberta will coach the 12-person (six women, six men) Canadian alpine contingent.

The World University Championships will be held February 7-17, 2001 in Zakopane Poland. The Games, held every two years, include a multitude of sports including the alpine events. Canada has yet to win a medal in alpine, which now consists of downhill, super-G, giant slalom and slalom.

The team representing Canada in the alpine events boast many Canadian Alpine Ski Team and provincial team alumni. According to Pierre Baudin, Director of the CIAU International Programs Office, this is the first time Canada has fielded ski racers that attend schools in the United States. "There will be about 100 athletes and coaches and between 10-12 Mission Staff," Baudin said. "

The women's group includes Aimee Noel-Hartley (Vancouver, BC - University of Denver); Erin McEachren (Edmonton, AB - University of Denver); Brianne Law (Hamilton, ON); Carolyn Wright (Toronto, ON); and Carrie MacNaughton (Toronto, ON). Jennifer Delich (Fernie, BC - Univeristy of New Mexico) is expected to be added to the roster.

The men's team consists of: Paul Boscovic (Whistler, BC - University of British Columbia); Mike Read (Calgary, AB - University of Denver); Mike Stratton (Belfountain, QC) Jean-Francois Belisle (St. Sauveur, QC); and Simon-Pierre Gorneau (St. Sauveur, QC - University of Montreal). Jayme Smithers (Whistler, BC - University of Denver) is expected to be added to the roster.

In making the announcement Sparovec said, "This is an outstanding opportunity for our student-athletes and our coaches to participate in a world forum for ski racing while
representing our country and our sport. It is our objective to win Gold at the Games."