* N.B. Details about the winners and their nominations can be found online: https://alpineontario.ca/download/ontario-ski-racing-awards-2023-winners/

Caledon, ON – Alpine Ontario Alpin is thrilled to announce the recipients of the 2023 Ontario Ski Racing Awards, presented by Mackenzie Investments. The provincial awards program recognizes outstanding performance and contributions in the sport of ski racing in Ontario. There are various categories to honour recipients for their dedication, athletic success, performance, and passion for the sport of ski racing.

The awards were presented at Caledon Ski Club with multiple members of the Alpine Ontario Alpin community present to celebrate. Alpine Ontario Alpin would like to extend its congratulations to both the winners and nominees, and would like to thank all those who took the time to provide nominations.  

Patrick Biggs, Executive Director, Alpine Ontario Alpin, said, “Alpine Ontario is thrilled to be celebrating the successes of our top athletes, coaches and community leaders.  Their passion and commitment to the sport helps to inspire us all.  I'd like to thank the selection committee for their efforts in choosing the winners out of so many worthy nominations.”
 

The winners (and all nominees) are featured below:

Sporting Life Athlete of the Year

The Athlete of the Year is awarded to one male and one female athlete from alpine, one athlete (either male or female) from para and one athlete (either male or female) from ski cross.

The selection committee determines this award based on:

1. Overall athletic performance quantified by podium finishes and overall standings.
2. Dedication both on and off the snow with a passion to pursue all avenues of training to continually better performance both technically and physically.
3. Demonstrates a strong sense of mentorship and/or leadership to the rest of their teammates.
4. Champions of the sport through participation in events, and in engagement in ski club communities.

Sporting Life Female Athlete of the Year – Olivia Young, Beaver Valley Ski Club

Nominees also included:
Laurence St. Germain, Canadian Alpine Ski Team
Angelica Maduri, Muskoka Ski Club
Ashley Campbell, Ontario Ski Team
Haileigh MacPhearson, Batawa Ski Racing Club
 

Sporting Life Male Athlete of the Year – Justin Alkier, Ontario Ski Team

Nominees also included:
Jack Crawford, Canadian Alpine Ski Team
Spencer Dullard-Krizay, Batawa Ski Racing Club
 

Sporting Life Para Athlete of the Year – James Budrow, Calabogie Ski Racing Club

Anthony Pacione Coach of the Year – Curtis Eades, Southern Ontario Division Ski Team

The award is in the honour of Anthony Pacione’s dedication to outstanding coaching performance that results in exceptional and demonstrated athlete advancement in alpine, para-alpine or ski cross racing. Pacione’s home ski club was the Osler Bluff Ski Club.

The selection committee determines this award based on:
 

1. Achievement and Results
2. Leadership and/or Mentorship
3. Retention of athletes
4. Ethical Conduct

Nominees also included:
Mary Beth Hemple, Craigleith Ski Club
Heather Metzger, Georgian Peaks Ski Club
Cam Stephen, Ontario Ski Team
Ken Ellis, Mansfield Ski Club
Thomas Trusler, Ontario Development Ski Team
Richard Vendrig, Toronto Ski Club
 

Fasken Volunteer of the Year – Philippe Richer, Camp Fortune Ski Club

This award Recognizes one or more volunteers in the sport of Ontario ski racing who have made an extraordinary contribution to their Club, Division or Province, and to the sport in general. This award recognizes the important role of volunteers as they support their children, team, club or sport as a whole.

The selection committee determines this award based on:
 

1. An unwavering commitment to the sport demonstrated throughout the ski season.
2. A strong passion for ski racing, ski programs and the sport in general.
3. A person(s) who continually strives to help the great community of athletes, who may or may not include their own child.
4. Provides outstanding service to the sport.

Nominees also included:
Deb McCannell, Toronto Ski Club
Doug Fraser, Georgian Peaks Ski Club
Nathalene Hagar, Alpine Ontario Alpin
Neil Coats, Lake Superior Division Alpine


Spirit of Sandy Proctor Award – Marie-Penélopé (Penny) Robinson, TBFast
This award embraces the characteristics in honour of Sandy Proctor, who for many years was the face of the Nancy Greene Ski League in Southern Ontario and had an enormous love for both the participants of this sport and the entire sport. This award recognizes the extraordinary contributions of one or more individuals to the “Spirit of Ontario Ski Racing”. This person(s) is always wearing a smile and is a positive and motivating force to the people around him or her. This award recognizes the important role of motivators as they support the spirit of sport with their children, team, club, Division or Province.

The selection committee determines this award based on:
 

1. An unwavering commitment to the spirit of sport including being a great teammate, support your coach, support ALL athletes, welcoming new athletes, inclusiveness, motivator, promoter and more!
2. This person is someone we all want to be around –they invoke fun and joy into the programs at AOA.

Nominees also included:
Dave Campbell, Craigleith Ski Club
Malcolm Bisiker, Georgian Peaks Ski Club
Laura Berry, Snow Valley

Robert Shore Official of the Year – Paul Spies, Osler Bluff Ski Club
This award recognizes an Official in the sport of Ontario ski racing who has made an extraordinary contribution to their Club, Division, Province, and to the sport in general. This award was created in honour of the outstanding dedication to the sport made by Robert Shore, a former FIS TD Official.

The selection committee determines this award based on:
 

1. The nomination process is open to certified officials at any level (Level I, II or 3) in any capacity, whether on-course, in-office, etc.
2. An unwavering commitment to the official's process as demonstrated throughout the ski season.
3. A strong passion for ski racing, ski programs and the sport in general.
4. An official who continually strives to learn more and do better in their work.

Nominees also included:
Tom Vincent, Toronto Ski Club
David Hanna, Georgian Peaks Ski Club


Builder of the Year – Victoria Fenninger, Sir Sam’s
Formerly the Chairperson’s Award, the Builder Award is for extraordinary contributions of one or more individuals to the sport of Ontario Ski Racing and is intended to recognize one or more individual’s lifetime contributions to Ontario Ski Racing.

The selection committee determines this award based on:

1. Person(s) who made an extraordinary contribution to the sport of ski racing in Ontario.
2. Person(s) who had an unwavering commitment to the sport in the form of a partner (corporate), motivator, program developer, visionary and builder in any facet of the sport.
3. Made things happen –they may have secured a specific event, created a new ski club, promoted the growth of Ski Cross, secured funding for the sport, expanded the reach of ski racing and more!

Nominees also included:
Dave Nighswander, Southern Ontario Division Committee
Vance White, Osler Bluff Ski Club


Helly Hansen Event of the Year – FIS World Cup Ski Cross Finals, held at Craigleith Ski Club
The Event of the Year is awarded to a ski club or race organizing committee which demonstrated an exceptional commitment to Ontario ski racing, through one or more ski racing events that support the local, Provincial, National and even International community.

The selection committee determines this award based on:
 

1. The event showcased collaboration between various partners
2. The event demonstrated professionalism from its officiating, to its timeliness to its safety
3. The event was engaging, community-oriented and inclusive.
4. The athletes had a positive and “fun” experience

Nominees also included:
Live Like Miki (Laurentian Ski Hill)
Muskoka Rodeo (Hidden Valley Highlands Ski Area)
Devil’s Glen Ski Meister (Devil’s Glen Country Club)
U14 OCUP Finals (Lake Superior Division Alpine)
Camp Fortune Nor-Am Cup (Camp Fortune)


Mackenzie Investments Race Club of the Year – Batawa Ski Racing Club
This award is presented to one Ontario ski club that has distinguished themselves as being invested in their members and athletes on and off the hill. They provide exceptional ski racing programming, supporting the development of athletic success and have built an incredible culture for its members and their families.

Nominations for Club of the Year must be a registered club with AOA in good standing for the current season. The nomination may be submitted by members of that same club who may or may not be registered AOA members.

The winner is determined by votes from the Alpine Ontario Alpin community.
 

Nominees also included:
Georgian Peaks Ski Club
Toronto Ski Club
Craigleith Ski Club
 

About Alpine Ontario Alpin

Alpine Ontario Alpin (AOA) is the Provincial Sport Organization recognized by Alpine Canada Alpin (ACA), Canadian Snowsports Association, Ontario Winter Games, Canada Winter Games, and the Ontario Government. Made up of a dynamic and passionate team of professionals, AOA is responsible for bringing the joy of ski racing to athletes, families, coaches, and clubs – from start gates and podium finishes to careers and community. And we’re on a mission to empower a safe, inclusive, and integrated alpine sport ecosystem, for everyone. Racer, ready.

About Mackenzie Investments

Mackenzie Investments ("Mackenzie") is a leading investment management firm with $192.2 billion in assets under management as of February 28, 2023. Mackenzie provides investment solutions and related services to more than one million retail and institutional clients through multiple distribution channels. Founded in 1967, Mackenzie is a global asset manager with offices across Canada as well as in Boston, Dublin, London, Hong Kong and Beijing. Mackenzie is a member of IGM Financial Inc. (TSX: IGM), one of Canada's premier financial services companies with approximately $258 billion in total assets under management and advisement as of February 28, 2023. For more information, visit mackenzieinvestments.com.