Canada’s greatest technical ski racer ever — two-time World Cup gold medalist and Alberta Alpine President Thomas Grandi — will immediately return to Canada’s national alpine ski team, leaving Alberta’s provincial ski racing programs in their strongest position ever.

“I have had an amazing season with Alberta Alpine. I am exceptionally proud of the accomplishments of the Alberta Ski Team and the progress and successes we have had as a provincial sport organization. The pull of the Olympics has simply proven to be too much for me,” Grandi said.

“My return to ski racing as Canada hosts the 2010 Winter Olympics is an opportunity that can never come again, especially with my wife seeking to compete in cross-country. I’m confident Alberta Alpine is in a very strong position and is well positioned to have continued success in the coming years.”

Grandi — who remains ranked 27th in the world in slalom – steps down from his current position as President of Alberta Alpine Ski Association effective immediately in order to focus on his goal of medaling at the 2010 Winter Olympics.

Grandi, 35, will also remain actively involved with Alberta Alpine, sitting on the board of directors and assisting with important sponsorship and fundraising projects – such as the Legends Club.

After taking over as President in September of 2007, Grandi wasted no time making his mark on Alberta Alpine. Within the first couple of months he created the “Carving Canucks” Calendar, a great fundraising program that will continue for years. He brought Devonian Properties on as the title sponsor of the Nancy Greene Ski League (NGSL) and signed Apogee Executive Search as the title sponsor of the K2 Series.

He was also paramount in developing the Alberta Alpine Legends Club, a project dedicated to funding developmental camps for skiers aged 11-16 years old, and was the catalyst for moving the Alberta Alpine office to Canmore, where it will benefit from being in a true alpine environment.

Alberta Alpine Board Chairman Mike Irwin is confident that the future is bright for the organization.

“Alberta Alpine has exceptional momentum thanks to Thomas and the team he assembled,” said Irwin. “He leaves a strong organization focused on excellence and a commitment to win. The foundation he created will deliver for our athletes and our partners for years to come.”

The organizational structure of Alberta Alpine will be the subject of a future announcement. Effective immediately, Monica Zyla will be the Chief Operating Officer, while Jim Davis will continue on as High Performance Director and oversee all aspects of athletic development. Adam Hull and Carolyn Cavaliere will also remain in their current roles as Manager of Marketing & Communications, and Member Services Coordinator respectively.

Grandi returns to the Canadian Alpine Ski Team having won back-to-back World Cup giant slalom races in Alta Badia, ITA and Flachau, AUT in 2004. He retired in March of 2007 with nine career World Cup podium finishes and 11 Pontiac GMC Canadian Championship titles.

“Thomas brings veteran strength to our team which is intent on becoming the best in the world. There is no question that his return will benefit the sport and our goal of Olympic medals in 2010,” said ACA Chief Athletics Officer and Director of Own the Podium Projects Max Gartner.

“Thomas’ determination to be the best, along with the important contributions from Own the Podium 2010 and all of our valued partners, has made this possible. The return of the best male technical ski racer in Canadian history lifts the quality of the program at a critical time with the 2010 Olympic Winter Games fast approaching,” added ACA Chief Executive Officer Ken Read.