Marjan Cernigoj, who led Canada’s Ladies alpine ski team over the past two seasons, is leaving the national ski team to pursue private sector opportunities, Alpine Canada Alpin announced today.

Cernigoj led Canada’s ladies ski team to its best season in over 20 years last season, finishing with a total of seven World Cup podiums including two victories.

“The past two seasons have been a tremendously fulfilling and enjoyable experience for me and I am proud of the success that we achieved. Everyone in the organization is working very hard to build a world-leading ski racing nation and I wish everyone the best,” Cernigoj said.

The 2007/08 season highlights included World Cup victories by Britt Janyk (Whistler, BC) at a downhill in Aspen, USA and Emily Brydon (Fernie, BC) at a super G in St. Moritz, SUI, with Janyk also finishing third in the overall downhill standings.

“The ladies program has clearly moved closer under Marjan’s leadership to our goal of being the best ski racing nation in the world by 2010. He has made a lasting contribution over the past two seasons to the success of the Ladies program,” said ACA’s Chief Athletics Officer Max Gartner.

Cernigoj said he intends to return home to Salt Lake City, USA to lead a ski equipment supply company that he began prior to taking the position with the Canadian alpine ski team.

Gartner said a replacement for Cernigoj would be announced shortly.