Winners: Laurie Graham, Alpine Skiing

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Photograph of Laurie Graham

Portrait of Laurie Graham.
Date: 1980’s
Collection: Canada's Sports Hall of Fame

1986 - Feature Story

1986 was far and away the best season produced by Laurie Graham. She was healthy, in the best shape of her life, and had her fastest pair of skis – which she nicknamed “Speedy”. She finished on the podium in eight of the eleven World Cup races, winning downhills at Val d’Isere, France, plus Crans Montana, Switzerland “When everything’s going right and when I have really fast skis, it’s almost easy’’. Graham would win five World Cup downhills and one Super G during her eleven years with the team. The outstanding role model and mentor to her young Canadian teammates said keeping the fun element in ski racing helped her maintain her passion for the sport. 

Career Highlights

  • 1998 Appointed and invested in the Order of Canada
  • 1986 Bobbie Rosenfeld Award (Canada’s female athlete of the year)
  • 1985, 1986 World Cup Downhill Title, Val d’Isere, France
  • 1984 World Cup Super G Title, Puy St. Vincent, France
  • 1982 Bronze Medal in Downhill at the World Ski Championships in Schladming, Austria.
Canadian Women’s National Ski Team photograph

1985/1986 Canadian Women’s National Ski Team. Back row from L to R: Kellie Casey, Diana Haight, Kerrin Lee, Liisa Savijarvi. Front row from L to R: Karen Stemmle, Karen Percy, Laurie Graham, Josee Lacasse.
Date: 1985-1986
Collection: Canada's Sports Hall of Fame

Head shot of Laurie Graham

Portrait of Laurie Graham.
Date: 1980’s
Collection: Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame

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