CALGARY, Feb. 20, 2014 /CNW/ - Rising star Erin Latimer has been nominated to the Canadian team that will compete at the Sochi 2014 Paralympic Games in March, Alpine Canada and the Canadian Paralympic Committee announced Wednesday.
Latimer, of Toronto, Ont., joins the roster of 13 para-alpine skiers who were nominated on Jan. 21, rounding out a strong Canadian contingent that is a talented mix of Paralympic veterans and up-and-coming athletes.
Latimer's bio is available here [http://tinyurl.com/n289e6e]. The additional qualifying spot became available through the bipartite process.
At 17, Latimer is one of the youngest skiers on the Canadian Para-Alpine Team competing at her first Paralympic Games. An arm amputee, Latimer grew up competing in able-bodied racing and was only introduced to para-alpine in 2012, but has been a quick study; in 2012-13, her first season competing at the World Cup level, Latimer earned six top-ten finishes.
In Sochi, she will compete in super-G, giant slalom and slalom.
"It's going to be an amazing experience to represent Canada in Sochi," Latimer said after learning of her nomination to the team. "When I was given the Team Canada jacket I was anticipating what it is going to be like walking through the opening ceremonies. A lot of people my age don't get an experience like this."
"Erin is a bright young star who exemplifies the next generation of Canadian Paralympic skiers," added Team Canada Chef de Mission Ozzie Sawicki. "Her natural talent makes her one to watch heading forward."
As a rising star athlete, Latimer is hungry to gain valuable experience on the world stage.
"My goal is to ski the best I can ski," she said. "I can really push myself to get the experience for the 2018 Games."
Brianne Law, athletic director of the para-alpine program at Alpine Canada, said Latimer is one to watch.
"In her first year on the World Cup circuit, Erin has really excelled to earn this spot on the Paralympic roster," said Law. "I am confident she will make her country proud. The valuable experience she will gain in Sochi will no doubt make her a threat at the 2018 Paralympic Games in Pyeongchang."
The Sochi 2014 Paralympic Winter Games will take place from March 7 to 16. Para-alpine racing in Sochi begins on March 8 with men's and women's downhill. The team will also compete in super-G, super combined, slalom and giant slalom.
With a goal of placing in the top three nations in the gold medal count, Canada will send approximately 50 athletes to compete in sledge hockey, wheelchair curling, para-Nordic skiing, biathlon, para-alpine skiing and para-snowboard.
IN PICTURES: High-resolution photographs of Erin Latimer are available to download for editorial use. Action: (https://alpinecanada.box.com/s/5wjwwv6706o61ltkm2tg) (credit JS Labrie/Alpine Canada.) Headshot: (https://alpinecanada.box.com/s/5qexgcg5oulqu5hio58c) (credit Alpine Canada).
PHOTOGRAPHY: Media are invited to visit photos.paralympic.ca and create an account to be able to download high-resolution photos of Canadian Paralympic athletes at any time, at no cost.
WATCH: Less than 20 days to go to the Sochi 2014 Paralympic Winter Games, the Canadian Paralympic Committee (CPC) unveiled an unprecedented, fully accessible broadcast and electronic media plans for the most comprehensive coverage ever offered in Canada for a Paralympic Games - more than 65 hours of broadcast, up to 350 hours of digital streaming, and rights free news access highlights connecting Canadians via multi platforms. CPC will lead the Paralympic Broadcast Consortium partners in creating coverage on five broadcast/digital platforms: CBC/Radio-Canada, Sportsnet, Accessible Media Inc. (AMI), Yahoo Sports Canada and SendtoNews.
NOMINATED PARA-ALPINE SKIERS:
| ATHLETE | BIRTH DATE | CATEGORY | HOMETOWN |
| Caleb Brousseau | 30/07/1988 | Men's sitting | Terrace, B.C. |
| Josh Dueck | 13/01/1981 | Men's sitting | Kimberley, B.C. |
| Robin Fémy | 19/10/1989 | Guide, men's VI | Mont-Tremblant, Que. |
| Matt Hallat | 13/04/1984 | Men's standing | Coquitlam, B.C. |
| Kimberly Joines | 27/01/1981 | Ladies' sitting | Rossland, B.C. |
| Erin Latimer | 03/07/1996 | Ladies' standing | Toronto, Ont. |
| Braydon Luscombe | 30/11/1992 | Men's standing | Duncan, B.C. |
| Billy Joe Marcoux | 08/07/1994 | Guide, men's VI | Sault Ste-Marie, Ont. |
| Mac Marcoux | 20/06/1997 | Men's VI | Sault Ste-Marie, Ont. |
| Kurt Oatway | 23/02/1984 | Men's sitting | Calgary, Alta. |
| Alana Ramsay | 22/12/1994 | Ladies' standing | Calgary, Alta. |
| Kirk Schornstein | 19/03/1993 | Men's standing | Spruce Grove, Alta. |
| Alexandra Starker | 30/06/1994 | Ladies' standing | Calgary, Alta. |
| Chris Williamson | 05/05/1972 | Men's VI | Toronto, Ont. |
*VI denotes visually impaired
About Alpine Canada Alpin
Alpine Canada Alpin is the national governing body for alpine, para-alpine and ski cross racing in Canada. With the support of valued corporate partners along with the Government of Canada, Own the Podium and the Canadian Olympic Committee, Alpine Canada develops Olympic, Paralympic, world championship and World Cup medallists to stimulate visibility, inspiration and growth in the ski community. Please visit us at www.alpinecanada.org
About the Canadian Paralympic Committee
The Canadian Paralympic Committee is a non-profit, private organization with 25 member sports organizations dedicated to strengthening the Paralympic Movement. The Canadian Paralympic Committee's vision is to be the world's leading Paralympic nation. Its mission is to lead the development of a sustainable Paralympic sport system in Canada to enable athletes to reach the podium at the Paralympic Games. By supporting Canadian high performance athletes with a disability and promoting their success, the Canadian Paralympic Committee inspires all Canadians with a disability to get involved in sport through programs delivered by its member organizations. For more information, visit www.paralympic.ca
SOURCE: Canadian Paralympic Committee (CPC)
please contact:
Kelsey Verboom
Alpine Canada
W 403.777.3212
C 403.479.9516
[email protected]
Alison Korn
Manager, Media Relations and Communications
Canadian Paralympic Committee
Phone: 613-569-4333 ext. 243
Cell: 613-298-4927
[email protected]
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