Jack Crawford at the FIS Alpine World Cup Men’s Downhill in Val Gardena, Italy, Dec 15, 2022. Photo by Roberto Tommasini/Alamy Stock Photo

Path to the Podium

 by Nick Hamilton

Supporting Escarpment Excellence on the World Cup

Inspired by the recent Paris Olympics, the Path to the Podium (PTP) campaign highlights the critical role of community support in athletes’ journeys to success. Now in its fourth year, PTP is dedicated to boosting Canadian alpine ski racers’ chances on the world stage by raising additional funds to enhance their existing programs. This year, PTP is focusing on six alpine athletes with roots in the Escarpment area, including Ali Nullmeyer, Kyle Blandford, Jack Crawford, Declan McCormack, Erik Read, and Jeff Read. By fostering community involvement through events like the upcoming gala at Georgian Peaks, PTP aims to unite supporters in providing the necessary resources for these athletes to compete with the world’s best, emphasizing a zero overhead model where all raised funds go directly to the athletes.

Despite having two reigning world champions, Canada faces significant challenges compared to dominant nations in alpine skiing, such as limited funding and programming. PTP has already made a tangible impact, like funding extra training that contributed to unexpected wins and Olympic medals. This initiative exemplifies the power of collective effort, proving that a strong community foundation can elevate athletes to new heights. The campaign continues to seek sponsors and ambassadors who value transparent, impactful fundraising, reinforcing the idea that “it takes a village to raise a ski racer.” Join us in this effort to support our athletes and be part of their journey to the podium.

Meet the 2024/25 Path to the Podium Beneficiaries

Kyle Blandford (Toronto Ski Club)
Kyle Blandford discovered his love for alpine skiing on the slopes of Blue Mountain with the Toronto Ski Club. His passion for speed and competition quickly set him on a path to high performance ski racing, where his natural talent became apparent. Kyle advanced through various age categories with determination, consistently securing top-10 finishes in FIS races, showcasing his skills in both slalom and giant slalom events. A notable highlight of his career was a podium finish at the Nor-Am Cup in the 2022/23 season, solidifying his reputation as a rising star in the alpine skiing community. Off the slopes, Kyle is known for his strong work ethic and commitment to rigorous training, continually pushing himself to improve. His goals are to achieve consistent top finishes in national and international competitions and to proudly represent Canada on the world stage. Supported by Path to the Podium, Kyle’s dedication, talent, and drive make him a promising figure in Canadian alpine skiing.

Ali Nullmeyer (Georgian Peaks Ski Club)
Ali Nullmeyer, a standout athlete on the Canadian Alpine Ski Team, began her skiing journey at Georgian Peaks Ski Club, where she developed her love for the sport and honed her slalom skills. Her talent and dedication quickly became evident, leading her to numerous achievements on the junior circuit, including a gold medal at the 2016 Youth Olympic Games and multiple podium finishes at the FIS Junior World Ski Championships. Ali’s early successes paved the way for her participation in the 2022 Winter Olympics, where she represented Canada with pride and determination. In the 2023/24 season, Ali finished 11th overall in slalom on the World Cup circuit and has accumulated seven top-10 finishes in her career. Ali emphasizes the importance of enjoying the journey and maintaining a positive mindset, especially when facing setbacks. Her dedication to continuous improvement is evident in her rigorous training and her approach to setting ambitious goals. With the financial support of Path to the Podium, Ali can focus on her training and competitions without the heavy burden of expenses, driving her closer to her goal of consistently representing Canada at the highest levels of alpine skiing.

Jack Crawford (Georgian Peaks Ski Club)
Jack Crawford’s skiing journey began at Georgian Peaks, and by age 13, he expanded his training to include Whistler, BC, further developing his skills on diverse terrain. A member of the Canadian National Team since 2016, Jack has made significant progress on the World Cup circuit, becoming known for his versatility and resilience. His rise to prominence included six top-10 finishes in the 2021/22 season, highlighted by a silver medal in Super-G at Kvitfjell, Norway. Jack also competed in the 2018 PyeongChang Olympics and achieved impressive results at the 2022 Beijing Olympics, where he won a bronze medal in the Alpine Combined, placed 4th in downhill, and 6th in Super-G. The 2022/23 season saw Jack ranked fifth in the World Cup downhill standings, capped by a gold medal in Super-G at the World Championships in Courchevel/Meribel, France. Beyond skiing, Jack enjoys golfing, water skiing, rock climbing, and fishing across Canada, activities that reflect his adventurous spirit. Jack’s goal at the start of every season is to learn, excel, and strive to be the best, making him one of Canada’s top alpine skiing talents.

Declan McCormack (Osler Bluff Ski Club)
Declan McCormack began his skiing journey at Osler Bluff Ski Club, where he quickly developed a deep passion and natural talent for the sport. He further honed his skills while competing for the University of Vermont, where he balanced rigorous academics with high-level competition, gaining valuable experience and refining his technique. His dedication and skill eventually led him to the Canadian National Alpine Ski Team, where he has steadily progressed on the World Cup circuit, excelling in slalom and giant slalom. A notable highlight of Declan’s career was representing Canada at the FIS Junior World Ski Championships in Val di Fassa, Italy, a milestone that showcased his abilities on the international stage. Off the slopes, Declan stays active through mountain biking and strength training, which help him maintain his strength and agility. With each season, he aims to push his limits, achieve podium finishes, and proudly represent Canada.

Jeffrey Read (Banff Alpine Racers)
Jeffrey Read grew up skiing at Banff Mt. Norquay in Alberta, also deeply inspired by his strong skiing heritage with the Osler Bluff Ski Club, where his mother, Lynda Robbins, raced, making the Escarpment a cherished second home for the Read family. Jeffrey joined the Canadian National Team in 2016 and has been making significant strides on the World Cup circuit. A standout moment in his career came during the 2022/23 season when he secured his first World Cup podium with a second-place finish in the Super-G at Kvitfjell, Norway. A proud moment in his connection to his family’s skiing legacy was awarding the prestigious “Robbins Trophy” to top U16 on behalf of the family, followed the next week by a podium finish at the 2022 Canadian Championship slalom at Osler.

Erik Read (Banff Alpine Racers)
Erik Read, a seasoned competitor with a rich family legacy in skiing, has firmly established himself as a standout technical skier on the international stage. Like his brother Jeffrey, Erik has a deep connection to the sport and the Robbins family roots at Osler Bluff Ski Club, where made his first ski turns on the J-bar at age two. Racing as an independent athlete this winter with World Racing Academy along with Declan McCormack, they aim to keep Canada’s presence on the World Cup. Supported by Path to the Podium, Erik remains focused on training, travel, and competing at the highest levels, driven by his ambition to inspire the next generation of Canadian skiers while continuing to uphold the proud traditions of his family and the Osler Bluff Ski Club.