Winners: Gerry Sorensen, Alpine Skiing
Gerry Sorensen competing in a skiing event.
Date: 1980’s
Collection: Canada's Sports Hall of Fame
1982 - Feature Story
Gerry Sorensen had been a relative latecomer to competitive skiing, but compensated for any lack of long-time experience with dedication, thorough preparation and an icy nerve. After one World Cup victory in her rookie season of 1981, she scored early in the 1982 World Cup season at Grindelwald, Switzerland, with wins in back-to-back downhill events. That showing primed her for the following month’s World Championships. At Haus, Austria, she won the downhill title, becoming the first Canadian since Lucile Wheeler in 1958 to win a World Championship downhill. Her season, at age 23 caused Ken Read, the famous Crazy Canuck, to say that “On a demanding course, she was unquestionably the fastest, strongest and bravest woman in the world. At times she resembled a loose cannonball. No one could touch her.’’
Career Highlights
- 1989 Inducted into Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame
- 1988 Inducted into Canadian Skiing Hall of Fame
- 1982 Gold medallist, World Alpine Downhill Championship in Schladming, Austria.
- 1982 Bobbie Rosenfeld Award (Canada’s female athlete of the year)
- 1981-1984 Four World Cup downhill victories
Gerry Sorensen leaning on a boat.
Date: 1980’s
Collection: Canada's Sports Hall of Fame
Portrait of Gerry Sorensen
Date: 1980’s
Collection: Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame
Skis used by Gerry Sorensen.
Date: 1980’s
Collection: Canada's Sports Hall of Fame
