Thompson and Drury win Audi 2020 ski racing awards
May 14, 2020·Ski CrossCanadian ski racing fans had their say with thousands submitting nominations and marking their ballot for the Audi 2020 Canadian Ski Racing Awards presented by Helly Hansen, which closed on April 17.
The annual awards recognize the best in Canadian ski racing performances and contributions over the past season. All votes and nominations were tallied and reviewed by the Audi Canadian Ski Racing Awards’ Selection Committee. The committee, made up of volunteers from across the ski racing world, ensured that the selection process was fair, engaging, and productive.
As for the ski cross category, ski cross crystal globe winner Kevin Drury was awarded “Ski Cross Male Athlete of the Year”, who without a doubt was the strongest and most consistent rider on the tour this past season. It was the best season for Drury in his entire career, grabbing 4 wins and two second places in total.
“Ski Cross Female Athlete of the Year” recipient Marielle Thompson was not short of wins and podiums this year on the women’s side of things – 3 wins, one second and one third place secured the 3rd overall SX rank for the 27-year-old Canadian.
There was also an honourable mention for “Ski Cross Female Athlete of the Year” – newcomer and rookie award winner 2019/20 Courtney Hoffos, who took everyone by surprise by her back-to-back podiums at the Cross Alps Tour opener in Val Thorens this year. She topped that by grabbing another podium spot at the second stage of the CAT in Montafon, making sure, everyone would remember the name – Courtney Hoffos.
The 22-year-old unfortunately suffered from a bad crash during qualification, of all things, at her home race in Nakiska at the beginning of this year, taking her out for the rest of the season. Nevertheless, Hoffos did make an impression this season and there is for sure more to come in the near future!
“We’re extremely proud of all the athletes who competed this past winter,” said Damien Etchaubard, Director of Marketing for Helly Hansen Canada. “These awards celebrate the people who make ski racing possible and Helly Hansen is proud to support such amazing athletes, volunteers, and ski areas. We hope these awards motivate all the professionals and aspiring pros to keep following their dreams and to work hard in making them a reality.”
The recipients of the Audi 2020 Canadian Ski Racing Awards presented by Helly Hansen will be part of Alpine Canada’s 2020-21 Season Launch Event and will be presented in Toronto this fall.
Source: Alpine Canada