(Vancouver) Quebec skier Laurence St-Germain and Alberta ski jumper Alexandria Loutitt were declared joint recipients of the 2023 John Semmelink Memorial Award on Wednesday.

This honor is presented annually by the Canadian Winter Sports Association to the Canadian winter sports athlete who best represents the country on the international stage through integrity, behavior and ability.

The 2022-2023 winter competition season was historic for Canadian winter sports, with outstanding results across six different disciplines.

On February 18, St-Germain won gold in the women’s slalom at the FIS Alpine Skiing World Championships in Méribel, France. In doing so, the athlete from Saint-Ferréol-les-Neiges became the first Canadian in more than 60 years to win a slalom at a world championship.

Eleven days later, on March 1, Loutitt became the first Canadian to step onto the podium at the FIS Nordic World Ski Championships by winning gold in the large hill event in Planica, Slovenia.

According to Ken Read, chair of the Canadian Winter Sports Association awards committee, the two Canadians represent this award very well.

“Their resilience, work ethic, persistence and dedication on the playing field are second to none. But equally impressive, they are determined to lead by example while supporting their teammates and sharing their expertise with others,” Read said in a press release issued Wednesday.

The two athletes did not hide their happiness to receive such a reward.

“I am very touched to not only be recognized as a skier, but also for qualities like my integrity and my behavior, values ​​instilled in our family by my parents,” St-Germain said in the official statement. .

“I’m very proud to be recognized not only for my results, but also for my great passion and recognition of my true character,” said Loutitt, a 19-year-old athlete.

The John Semmelink Memorial Award is considered the most prestigious honor in Canadian winter sports.

Named in honor of John Semmelink, who lost his life in an accident while training for a competition in Garmisch, Germany, the award was first presented in 1962 to the alpine skier Anne Heggtveit.