John Kucera (Calgary, AB) is the first Canadian male to win gold at the FIS Alpine World Ski Championships, after a brilliant performance in winning today’s World Championships men’s downhill race in Val d’Isère, FRA.

Kucera, who has a World Cup super-G victory but has never won a downhill race on the World Cup, is the first Canadian World Champion since Mélanie Turgeon won the ladies downhill race in 2003 in St. Moritz, SUI.

Kucera, the second racer to leave the start hut, finished in a time of two minutes 07.01 seconds. The time would hold up through the field of 38 racers, including Austrian Michael Walchhofer twice, after being granted a re-run for being sent out of the start during a course hold.

“It’s been a long road but it’s a dream come true,” said the 24-year-old Kucera. “It’s an amazing feeling. It shows that all the work that me, my teammates and all the coaches and staff in Alpine Canada Alpin are putting in is paying off. Everything is heading in the right direction. It’s not only a confidence boost for myself but for the whole team.”

“This is not only a world championship medal but it’s my first medal in the downhill. So it’s very exciting and unbelievable,” said Kucera, who earned the use of a GMC vehicle for one year with today’s victory among other performance incentives.

The Pontiac Alpine Ski Series on CBC has coverage of today’s race beginning at 3 p.m. ET. Radio-Canada Sports also has today’s downhill beginning at 3:00 p.m. ET. (Times subject to change. Check your local listings.)

Kucera’s wait in the finish area turned out to be a nail-biter as Switzerland’s Didier Cuche came down just 0.04s behind. Fellow Swiss racer Carlo Janka was third 0.17s behind the Canadian winner.

Kucera is the ninth Canadian to win a World Championship gold medal. He is the first male to win at the Worlds, and the fifth Canadian to win gold in the downhill. COMPLETE LIST OF PAST MEDALISTS

Kucera was asked in a post race press conference to compare this achievement to past Canadian achievements, including those of the late 1970’s-era Crazy Canucks.

“The Crazy Canucks were the first guys to put Canadians in the media spotlight a little bit and I think we’re a new group now. We’re the Canadian Cowboys. We’ve taken the bar from them and hopeful we can raise it one level higher for the next generation.”

The other Canadians in the race, Erik Guay (Mont-Tremblant, QC), Manuel Osborne-Paradis (Vancouver, BC) and Jan Hudec (Calgary, AB) were all charging down the icy and dangerous Piste Bellevarde but none were able to finish the race.

Hudec, who reached the top speed of any racer in the competition when he climbed to 132.02 km/h at one point, injured his left knee crashing near the bottom of the course.

Hudec had the fastest opening interval and another interval was the second quickest before losing an edge near the bottom of the course and going out. He was going to be examined by doctors this evening with more information on his status is expected perhaps as early as tomorrow.

“As usual it was race day so I risked a little more and I knew I could have a great run today. I had a great start number and I was feeling confident. My old injury was feeling great, so I went for it,” said Hudec, who tore the ACL in his right knee early in 2008.

“It’s never a good feeling. At this point I will have to wait and meet with the team doctors before I know any more,” Hudec said.

Guay had the fastest second interval of the day but also crashed near the bottom. He was not injured.

“I pushed. You have to risk it here. I risked it and was pushing hard. When you do that there is a chance that you make a mistake. That’s part of the game,” Guay said.

“I feel like today the best skier won the downhill, and that was John Kucera,” he said. “He is the first Canadian male to win a world championship gold medal. It’s exciting just to be a part of it. It’s an individual sport but at the same time we’re a team.”

The ladies downhill training planned for today was cancelled.

WORLD CHAMPS NOTE: For more Canadian content regarding the FIS Alpine World Ski Championships including a history of Canadian podiums and the 2009 Canadian team announcement, please go to www.canski.org and click on the event logo in What’s Hot. You can also visit the official FIS Alpine World Ski Championships website at www.valdisere2009.org where live coverage of each event press conference and many other features are available.

Fernie’s Emily Brydon had a solid downhill run going in the ladies FIS Alpine World Ski Championships super combined in Val d’Isère before losing control near the bottom, making contact with a gate awkwardly. She was not seriously injured.

“I’m okay, a little banged up and I will probably be sore tomorrow but I think I’ll be fine,” said Brydon.

Canadian team medical director Chris Irving confirmed that Brydon had slightly bruised ribs but it was likely she would be able to participate in Sunday’s ladies downhill.

Austria’s Kathrin Zettel, stuck in fifth after the opening downhill, poured it on during the slalom to win.  Zettel dominated the slalom portion, finishing in 48.16 seconds, to win the super combined in a two-run combined time of two minutes 20.13 seconds.

Swiss teenager Lara Gut held steady in the slalom after serving notice again that she will be a force in Sunday’s downhill race by having the second fastest time in today’s downhill run. Gut, who has won one of the DH training runs and was fourth in the other in Val d’Isère, took the silver medal in the super combined finishing 0.56s behind Zettel.

Austria’s Elisabeth Goergl was third in 2:21.01 after American Lindsey Vonn, the 2009 ladies super-G world champion, straddled a gate in her slalom run and was disqualified. Vonn had the fastest downhill time of the day.
Defending World Champion Anja Paerson of Sweden also did not finish the downhill portion of today’s super combined.

The men held their final training run prior to tomorrow’s World Championship DH with Erik Guay (Mont-Tremblant, QC) setting the pace for the Canadians in sixth place. Freshly-minted super-G champion Didier Cuche of Switzerland had the fastest time, finishing in 2:06.98, 0.96s ahead of Guay. COMPLETE RESULTS

CBC has live coverage of each men’s and ladies race on www.cbcsports.ca as well as cable channel bold. Highlights and athlete features are also available on the website. The Pontiac Alpine Ski Series on CBC coverage begins tomorrow at 3 p.m. ET with more coverage again on Feb. 14 and Feb. 15 at 3 p.m.

Radio-Canada Sports will report on the men’s DH from Val d’Isère tomorrow at 3 p.m. ET, as well as coverage of the FIS Alpine World Ski Championships Dec. 14 beginning again at 3:00 p.m. ET.

On Monday February 2nd, Fernie Mayor Cindy Corrigan handed over the keys of the BC Hydro Heritage Building to the Fernie and District Historical Society. The building will
be the new home for the Fernie Museum and Information Center. This signifies the commitment of the City of Fernie to ensuring that Fernie’s Heritage figures prominently in the vision for Fernie’s future.

The Society would like to acknowledge the contributions of founding members
Bill Quail, Bill Ross, Ella Verkerk, Jane Chester, Doug Fink and Loretta Mangan.
Their dedication and hard work created a legacy which is the foundation for the
Fernie and District Historical Society of today.
The Fernie Museum and Information Center will be an important public social,
cultural, and educational institution. A place that reflects our community’s pride
in it’s heritage, where visitors will learn about all Fernie has to offer, and all that
Fernie has to cherish.

We invite, and encourage your input! Watch for our survey, and our
facilitated public visioning session coming soon.
Today we officially kick off our membership drive. Being a member is a simple
way to get involved and show your support for this exciting project. Individual
=$10.00/year $20/3years Family= $15.00/year $30/3 year. We will be seeking partnerships for funding at all levels including Government, Business, and Citizens.

For more information contact Laura Nelson 250-423-7824 or Curator Mike Pennock 250-423-7016 – email history@ferniemuseum.com

Ladies want to unlock your performance potential and take your skiing to the next level? Join us for the inaugural Woman’s Freeski Workshop at Lake Louise Ski Area, February 28- March 1st. This two day sports psychology workshop will be hosted by professional sports psychology consultant John Colman and Girls Do Ski.

Within the world of Freeskiing where ones life can literally be on the line, fear is often present. Fear can be toxic to ones performance, however, it can also lead to great performances with a certain perspective. This workshop will help you turn fear into focus with on and off hill sport psychology techniques such as; visualization, relaxation, breathwork, and goal setting. Special emphasis will be placed on physical preparation through nutrition. Information on high-quality nutrition will be discussed, and breakfasts and lunches will be prepared to simulate exemplary competition nutrition.  Also, John will share stories from elite Big Mountain freeskiers such as Mark Abma, Seth Morrison, Wendy Fisher, Hugo Harrison and others from his interactions with these esteemed freeskiers.

Female skiers of all levels, age 14-35 are encouraged to participate. This workshop is, however, optimal for current or future female big mountain competitors, who are looking to unlock their overall freeski potential.

“Girls do Ski provides a great environment to improve your physical and mental game in the big mountains. With plenty of steep terrain around Lake Louise to apply your newfound knowledge and like-minded women to share it with, this workshop should be a rewarding experience.” Colin Wiseman, The Ski Journal, editor

“John Coleman has a unique expertise that combines his love for skiing and in depth knowledge of sport psychology. Don’t miss this session if you want to learn how to get psyched and perform at your best under any conditions” Jean-François Rapatel, High Performance Director, Canadian Para-Alpine Ski Team

The two day workshop price includes: 2 lunches and 2 breakfasts prepared to simulate exemplary competition nutrition, personal sports psychology consulting by John Coleman, an article written by John focused on sport psychology and Big Mountain freeskiing, testimonials from professional big mountain skiers, prizes, and the opportunity to gain specific big mountain knowledge. The workshop cost $150 excluding lift tickets and Registration for the workshop can be done on line at www.girlsdoski.com.

Girls Do Ski is the presenter of Girls Day Out events, owned and operated by Leah Evans. Leah is a Rossland B.C. native and current competitor on the Canadian big mountain circuit. Having a direct relationship with the media and athletes, Leah was exposed to the minimal media coverage and established programs for female big mountain skiers. Leah’s goal is to provide females with encouragement to help them realize there full potential on and off skis.

Husky Energy, Resorts of the Canadian Rockies (RCR), and Alpine Canada Alpin (ACA) are pleased to announce they are once again presenting the Husky Snow Stars Grade two FunPass program this season, providing young British Columbians with a complimentary Season Pass valid at four Western Canadian ski resorts.

The program, now in its sixth season, was initiated in 2003 by Husky Energy, Resorts of the Canadian Rockies and endorsed by Alpine Canada Alpin. Grade two FunPass holders are given a Resorts of the Canadian Rockies Super Pass for the 2008/09 ski season. The pass entitles children enrolled in Grade two unlimited access to Fernie Alpine Resort, Kimberley Alpine Resort, Nakiska Ski Resort and Lake Louise Ski Area.

“Getting kids active with their families in the great outdoors is an important part of maintaining a healthy lifestyle,” says Bill Bennett, Minster of Tourism, Culture and the Arts. “It’s great to see Husky Energy and Resorts of the Canadian Rockies continuing to lead a program that promotes outdoor recreational activity among our youth, and making skiing and snowboarding available to all Grade two students in our province.”

The Husky Snow Stars Grade two FunPass program provides young British Columbians an opportunity to learn and build their skiing and snowboarding skills, while encouraging healthy, active, family activities.

“Skiing and snowboarding are some of the best activities that families can enjoy together,” says Matt Mosteller, Vice President, Marketing & Sales for Resorts of the Canadian Rockies. “Minister Bennett played a pivotal role as he and the BC Liberals lead the country in getting kids active and healthy in British Columbia. It helps to have his support, as he understands how important it is to get kids and families to enjoy the great outdoors. This program promotes a healthy, active, outdoor lifestyle at a young age, by giving Grade two students the opportunity to try the sport for free for an entire season. We are excited to introduce a new generation of skiers and riders to the sport this year.”

The Husky Snow Stars Grade two FunPass program is a privately funded program. Says Mosteller; “we love seeing the incredible long-term benefits from this program. We see it as a responsible contribution towards fighting childhood obesity by getting kids active in the outdoors.” To qualify, the child must be in Grade two (or born in 2001) and living in Alberta or British Columbia. A copy of a birth certificate, current Grade two report card, or last year’s Grade one report card, must be provided for a pass to be issued. There is a $20 processing fee for the pass.

For more information about the Husky Snow Stars Grade two FunPass, please visit www.skircr.com/membership or call 1-800-258-7669 (SNOW).

Emily Brydon of Fernie opened the 2009 FIS Alpine World Ski Championships by finishing in 13th today in the ladies super-G. Brydon, the top Canadian on the very challenging Piste Rhône-Alpes, finished in one minute 22.95 seconds.

“I left the start gate and gave it all that I had,” said Brydon, whose career-best World Championships super-G result is 12th in St. Anton, AUT in 2001. “I felt I did the best that I could, it just wasn’t enough today. I have been sick for the last 10 days so I knew I didn’t have a lot of energy.”

American Lindsey Vonn, currently the overall leader in the ladies World Cup standings, captured the first World Championships gold medal of her career, finishing in 1:20.73. Vonn has two silver medals from Åre, SWE in 2007. French favourite Marie Marchand-Arvier placed second, 0.34s back. Austria’s Andrea Fischbacher was just 0.06s back of Marchard-Arvier, good enough to capture the bronze.

Britt Janyk (Whistler, BC) finished 17th in 1:24.58.

“It was really rough and bumpy, one of those courses that doesn’t feel good anywhere,” said Janyk, who was fourth in the World Championships SG in Åre, SWE in 2007. “I expected that but this was our first time down the hill really racing it and it was tough.”

Kelly VanderBeek (Kitchener, ON) finished 23rd in 1:25.83 while Larisa Yurkiw (Owen Sound, ON) did not finish the difficult course set.

CBC has live coverage of each men’s and ladies race on www.cbcsports.ca as well as cable channel bold. The CBC website is also going to carry highlights and athlete features throughout the event.

On the main network, the Pontiac Alpine Ski Series on CBC has coverage beginning Feb. 7 at 3 p.m. ET with more coverage getting underway on Feb. 14 and Feb. 15 at 3 p.m.

Radio-Canada Sports will report on the men’s DH from Val d’Isère on Saturday, also presenting a complete package on the FIS Alpine World Ski Championships Dec. 14 beginning at 3:00 p.m. ET.

Conservationists are raising alarm about the highest human-caused death toll of Alberta grizzly bears since the provincial government suspended the grizzly hunt three years ago.

By accident, self-defence or other means, people killed 19 grizzlies last year, up from nine in 2007, according to data Alberta Sustainable Resource Development released late last month.

Carl Morrison of the Action Grizzly Bear alliance said the statistics suggest the ministry needs to do much more to prevent more losses in the iconic creature’s dwindling population.

“Obviously that’s fundamental in recovering the species: that we gain more bears than we lose each year,” Morrison said today. “And with the numbers of bears we saw disappear last year, that’s not the case.”

The province began its grizzly recovery plan in 2007, and has been mapping our the bear habitats so it can define where it should limit car and human access. It has also launched extensive education programs to curb human-grizzly conflicts.

Morrison said the studies are happening too slowly and the guidelines are too lax.

Last year’s human-related grizzly mortalities were the most since 2005, when 10 of the 24 deaths were by licensed hunters in the last year of the legal grizzly hunt.

In 2008, six grizzlies were put down because they were posing risks to humans, another six were killed in self defence, and four by accident. Others were killed by aboriginal subsistence hunters, in an illegal kill, or for unknown reasons.

By Jason Markusoff, Calgary Herald
Photograph by: Mark Stachiew

Jumbo Glacier resort promoters are crowing over an extension of the project’s dubious Environmental Assessment certificate. The B.C. Environmental Assessment Office granted the extension on January 26.

The original EA was made on October 12, 2004 and was to expire in October, 2009. It has now been extended until October 12, 2014.
The extension sweeps unanswered questions — and due process — under the rug.
“This ridiculous extension undermines the province’s own Environmental Assessment process,” said Dave Quinn, Wildsight’s Purcell program manager. Quinn has been observing land-use machinations in the Jumbo Valley for the past 16 years. “The province’s own rule book says one-time-only extensions can be granted. But that’s only if nothing significant has changed that would negate the assumptions made in the original.”
In the five years since the EA certificate was granted, however, there have been significant changes:
• Scientific studies of grizzly bear numbers in the Purcells mark a drop in population of over 40 per cent;
• There is more awareness of the short-term instability of the glaciers in the region, thanks to a study commissioned by Columbia Basin Trust;
• The Jumbo Valley has yet to be rezoned to accommodate the proposed development;
• Third-party polls have consistently shown the majority of locals don’t want the resort.
“The original EA assumed a robust grizzly population and stable glaciers,” Quinn said. “We now know that grizzlies in the Central Purcells are in serious decline and that the ice base of the proposed ‘glacier-based ski resort’ is, in fact, melting.”

Quinn is furious that the extension was granted with the blessing of the Ministry of Environment, who stated, in regards to Ktunaxa Nation Council’s comments on a recent grizzly bear study, that the Ministry: “. . . does not believe that there have been any material of specific changes in circumstances since the original environmental assessment review which would impact the conclusions reached in the certificate.”
“‘Does not believe?’” said Quinn. “So now it’s a question of whether our ministers choose not to believe the things they don’t care for?
“The Ministry of the Environment itself funded the grizzly study!” Quinn said.
“These changes happened since original EA was enacted,” Quinn added. “So this extension is way off base. Instead, a new one must be done.”
DETAILS
Grizzly bear numbers: Numbers from a 2007 study funded by the Ministry of Environment indicate that grizzly populations in the Jumbo vicinity have declined by more than 40 per cent from numbers the proponent cited in the original 2004 EA document.
Grizzly biologists say this significant decline renders the planned mitigation of the resort for grizzly bears invalid and insufficient.
“The result?” Quinn asked. “The public could very likely be stuck with an expensive grizzly recovery program, similar to programs in the United States, where grizzlies are on the endangered list. A new EA has to be done to factor in these new numbers so that doesn’t happen.”
Climate: There is no longer any question, as there may have been in 2004, that the glaciers in the region are melting. A Columbia Basin Trust study conducted by the University of Victoria notes that glaciers in the Columbia Basin have shrunk on average 16 per cent based on a 15-year period ending in 2000. (See www.cbt.org/climatechange.)
“This knowledge changes how much money and wildlife the Province should be willing to risk — on behalf of taxpayers like you and me — on a business plan that props up a glacier-based resort,” Quinn said. “Summer skiing on this glacier complex is already dismal-to-impossible – in coming decades it will get worse. The resort will also negatively impact stream flows and water quality in the Columbia Headwaters.”
Zoning: For the resort to go ahead, the Jumbo Valley must be rezoned to include permanent human settlement. But so far, that hasn’t happened.
Clause Six of the EA states: “(The) Proponent must obtain rezoning and other appropriate approvals for the Project from the Regional District of East Kootenay prior to the commencement of construction of the Project.”
“There hasn’t been any rezoning, the proponent hasn’t even applied for it,” Quinn said. “But he attempted to push a road and lift into the resort area last summer without it.”
Quinn adds that last summer’s road building attempt by Glacier Resorts Ltd. was also without public notification or First Nations consultation.
“Glacier Resorts has had almost two decades to apply for rezoning,” Quinn said. “Doesn’t this behaviour make it clear they have no intention of applying for it?”
Quinn said Glacier Resorts is biding its time, waiting for a Provincial decision that would overrule local government and remove the necessity for rezoning — and for consulting with local government.
Work: The original Jumbo EA certificate contains 14 clauses that govern its implementation. A number of them are now out of date, including Clause 13, that states: “The Proponent, in the reasonable opinion of the Minister, must have substantially started construction of the Project within five years…and if not… this certificate expires.”
“The proponent blames the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and the Arts for the fact that no construction has begun,” said Quinn. “But that’s not without them trying — they tried to build that road illegally. Regardless, the certificate, by its own wording, has been rendered null. This extension has made a mockery of due process.”
Quinn said that Wildsight and other groups are keeping a close on these developments.
“We have to,” he said. “When you can’t trust those in power, you have to rely on your people power.”

Dave Quinn, Wildsight Purcells program manager
250-427-8878 cell • 250-427-5666 home office

About Wildsight
Wildsight works locally, regionally and globally to protect biodiversity and encourage sustainable communities in Canada’s Columbia and southern Rocky Mountain region. This area is internationally recognized as a keystone to conservation in western North America. For more information, please visit www.wildsight.ca.

On February 27th & 28th, Fernie Mountain Film Festival (FMFF) and Fernie Alpine Resort invite you and your family to enjoy a weekend of thought-provoking and inspiring films, as well as presentations by local adventurers Jon Turk and Paul Attalla, all at the Fernie Community Centre.

FMFF is dedicated to filmmakers who spark awareness of mountain cultures, fragile environments and the passion and perseverance of global explorers. Along with a selection of shorts films, this year’s feature documentaries include 3 Peaks 3 Weeks, the story of a group of women who summit 3 peaks to confront 3 of Africa’s peak issues, and The Fine Line, an avalanche education film promoting widespread awareness by blending progressive skiing, snowboarding, sledding and ice-climbing with a message of warning.

Back by popular demand, a special kids matinee will be held on Saturday at 3PM. Bring the kids out for a FREE showing of some great kids flicks.

NEW to this year’s festival is the Mountain Photography Contest which will underline the hidden talents of the area and to display the various passions of the mountain lifestyle lovers.

Two-night passes are only $15. Single-night tickets are $10. You can buy them online, at the Guides Hut, or the College of the Rockies Fernie campus. Evening programs begin at 7pm.

FMFF would like to thank these sponsors for helping bring the event to higher ground: Fernie Alpine Resort, Red Tree Lodge, City of Fernie, Evolution Fitness, Claris Media, Kootenay Rockies Innovation Council, The Pub, and College of the Rockies.

FMFF is a non-for-profit society, and hopes to donate a portion of the festival profits to the Ghostrider Adventure Camp. This camp offers opportunities to local children to enjoy outdoor pursuits in our local mountain environment.

For more information, to see trailers, and to purchase tickets visit www.ferniefilmfestival.com.