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'Incredibly exciting' World Cup event coming to region next week

Kris Mahler, who started ski racing as a child at Craigleith Ski Club, will be part of the Canadian team on the hill from March 16-18
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Kris Mahler grew up skiing at Craigleith Ski Club and is now on the Canadian Ski Cross team.

Alpine Canada is bringing a world cup racing event to the area this March Break. 

The 2023 FIS Ski Cross World Cup finals will take place at Craigleith Ski Club in The Blue Mountains on March 17 and 18. The high-intensity race event is free and open for the public to attend and watch. 

“Canadians are poised for success at this event,” said Jeff Thompson, Alpine Canada vice-president of domestic sport programs and events, in a news release issued by Alpine Canada. “On the men’s side, Canada’s Reece Howden is leading the World Cup standings and is in line to win his second Crystal Globe. Marielle Thompson is second in the  women’s standings, and as a country, Canada is in a tight battle to win its record-setting 10th ski cross Nations Cup as the leading country in World Cup points for the season.” 

Thompson said the event will be "incredibly exciting to watch." It's one of the few Alpine racing events that puts multiple athletes on the track at the same time as they race head-to-head to the finish line. 

Other Canadians competing next weekend include Hannah and Jared Schmidt from North Bay, and Kris Mahler, who grew up racing at the local hill as a member of Craigleith Ski Club. 

There will be qualifier races on March 16 starting at 10:45 a.m. followed by final races on March 17 and 18 starting at noon. 

Schedule (races start at National and finish at Little John)

  • Thurs., March 16 
    • 10:45 a.m. - 12:15 p.m. men's qualification 
    • 12:15 p.m.-1 p.m. women's qualification 
  • Fri. March 17 
    • 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Alpine Canada merch for sale at Main Base Lodge
    • 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Activities at finish area 
    • 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. St. Patrick's Day beer garden 
    • 11:30 a.m. to 11:45 a.m. opening ceremony at finish area 
    • Noon to 1:30 p.m. World Cup race 
    • 1:30 p.m. awards 
  • Sat., March 18
    • 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Alpine Canada merch for sale at Main Base Lodge
    • 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Activities at finish area 
    • 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. St. Patrick's Day beer garden 
    • 11:30 a.m. to 11:45 a.m. opening ceremony at finish area 
    • Noon to 1:30 p.m. World Cup Finals race 
    • Closing ceremony and awards to follow