Turgeon pays tribute to late father with double gold at Para alpine World Cup

ZAGREB – Frédérique Turgeon held a special bond with her late father and she remembered those times as she struck double gold in the women’s slalom standing events at the season-opening World Cup on the Para alpine skiing circuit which concluded Thursday.

They were her first two career World Cup wins and medals. 

Turgeon, from Candiac, Que., said her father always talked about how they would celebrate her first World Cup podium. Ronald Turgeon passed away suddenly in December.

“I wanted to do this for him,” said Turgeon. “We are connected; I’m skiing in his memory. He initiated me to skiing, so that makes this win extra special. I’m very proud.”

On Thursday, the 19-year-old Paralympian overcame warmer temperatures and softer snow conditions for the victory.

Race organizers worked tirelessly to ensure a great race, and Turgeon clocked a two-run time of 2:16.96 for another commanding win over the rest of the field.  Turgeon, who’s had a leg disability since birth skies with two adaptive poles and on one ski on her left foot.

“Overall, my leg was very tired, and I felt my second run was slow,’’ she said. ‘’The softer snow conditions make it harder for me to stay balanced, but I’m still very happy with what I did.’’

Turgeon will now join her fellow Canadian Para alpine ski teammates for the IPC World Championships, Jan. 21-Feb. 1, in Kranjska Gora, Slovenia, and Sella Nevea, Italy.

 “I am heading (to worlds) with confidence and knowing I’m strong enough,” she said. “A podium would be extraordinary, but I’m concentrating on my racing, on having fun, and my goal of getting a top-five.”

Live streams of the World Cup races and the World Para Alpine Skiing Championship Jan. 21-Feb. 1, are available via the CBC Gem app and cbcgem.ca, as well as on the CPC Facebook page, with select events available on the Radio-Canada Sports app and radio-canada.ca/sports. 

(with files from Alpine Canada)