Larisa Yurkiw
Encyclopedia
Larisa Yurkiw is a Canadian
alpine skier, specializing in downhill
and super-G
.
On January 13, 2007, Larisa made her debut on the FIS
World Cup at Altenmarkt-Zauchensee
, Austria in a downhill event. From 2008 to 2009, she reached the top 30 seven times. In 2009, she achieved a personal best at Tarvisio, Italy when she placed 9th in the Super Combined
discipline. However, her most notable race came January 17, 2009 at Altenmarkt-Zauchensee when she stunned the field (and herself) by posting the fastest time in the downhill portion of a combined event.
On December 16, 2009, a crash during a training run at Val d'Isere resulted in an ACL tear, MCL tear, patellar tendon tear and tears in both the lateral and medial miniscus in her left knee. She did not compete on home soil at the 2010 Winter Olympics
in Vancouver
and Whistler, British Columbia
.
Prior to debuting on the world stage, she had much success as a junior ski racer. She made her debut on the Nor-Am Cup on March 10, 2004, held at her home club, Georgian Peaks
. From 2005 to 2009, she reached the podium seventeen times, having won gold eight times in all disciplines but slalom
. She also had success racing on the GMC Cup (also known as Pontiac Cup), a non-FIS sanctioned ski series that challenges Canada’s most promising skiers. In 2007, Larisa competed on the South American Cup, having posted four top 10 results.
Larisa picked up a silver medal at the 2008 FIS Junior World Ski Championships in Formigal
, Spain in the combined discipline. From 2006 to 2008, she posted three more top 10 results at this event.
She earned two gold medals at the 2008 Canadian National Championships in Super-G and downhill, and three silver medals in 2009. Since she was still considered a junior in both 2008 and 2009, she went on to become the Canadian National Junior Champion in downhill, giant slalom, and slalom.
Her progress as a rising star and professional athlete can be followed online by visiting her racing biography through FIS-ski.com.
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
alpine skier, specializing in downhill
Downhill
Downhill is an alpine skiing discipline. The rules for the Downhill were originally developed by Sir Arnold Lunn for the 1921 British National Ski Championships....
and super-G
Super Giant Slalom skiing
The Super Giant Slalom is an Alpine skiing discipline. It is usually referred to as Super G and is a "speed" event, along with the faster Downhill event; the Giant Slalom and Slalom events are known as the "technical" disciplines.-History:...
.
On January 13, 2007, Larisa made her debut on the FIS
International Ski Federation
The International Ski Federation, known by its name in French, Fédération Internationale de Ski is the main international organisation for ski sports...
World Cup at Altenmarkt-Zauchensee
Altenmarkt im Pongau
Altenmarkt im Pongau is a small town in the Salzburg state of Austria. Altenmarkt is situated 65 km South East of Salzburg. The town occupies an area of approximately 48 km² and sits at 842 metres above sea level.The town is principally known for its winter tourism...
, Austria in a downhill event. From 2008 to 2009, she reached the top 30 seven times. In 2009, she achieved a personal best at Tarvisio, Italy when she placed 9th in the Super Combined
Alpine skiing combined
Combined is an alpine skiing event. Although not technically a discipline of its own, it is sometimes referred to as a fifth alpine discipline, along with downhill, super G, giant slalom, and slalom.-Traditional & Super-Combined:...
discipline. However, her most notable race came January 17, 2009 at Altenmarkt-Zauchensee when she stunned the field (and herself) by posting the fastest time in the downhill portion of a combined event.
On December 16, 2009, a crash during a training run at Val d'Isere resulted in an ACL tear, MCL tear, patellar tendon tear and tears in both the lateral and medial miniscus in her left knee. She did not compete on home soil at the 2010 Winter Olympics
2010 Winter Olympics
The 2010 Winter Olympics, officially the XXI Olympic Winter Games or the 21st Winter Olympics, were a major international multi-sport event held from February 12–28, 2010, in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, with some events held in the suburbs of Richmond, West Vancouver and the University...
in Vancouver
Vancouver
Vancouver is a coastal seaport city on the mainland of British Columbia, Canada. It is the hub of Greater Vancouver, which, with over 2.3 million residents, is the third most populous metropolitan area in the country,...
and Whistler, British Columbia
Whistler, British Columbia
Whistler is a Canadian resort town in the southern Pacific Ranges of the Coast Mountains in the province of British Columbia, Canada, approximately north of Vancouver...
.
Prior to debuting on the world stage, she had much success as a junior ski racer. She made her debut on the Nor-Am Cup on March 10, 2004, held at her home club, Georgian Peaks
Georgian Peaks Club
Georgian Peaks is a private alpine ski resort located on the Niagara Escarpment just outside Thornbury, Ontario. It has the highest vertical drop of any resort in Ontario, at 820 feet , enough to allow it to host official FIS-standard slalom races...
. From 2005 to 2009, she reached the podium seventeen times, having won gold eight times in all disciplines but slalom
Slalom skiing
Slalom is an alpine skiing discipline, involving skiing between poles spaced much closer together than in Giant Slalom, Super-G or Downhill, thereby causing quicker and shorter turns.- Origins :...
. She also had success racing on the GMC Cup (also known as Pontiac Cup), a non-FIS sanctioned ski series that challenges Canada’s most promising skiers. In 2007, Larisa competed on the South American Cup, having posted four top 10 results.
Larisa picked up a silver medal at the 2008 FIS Junior World Ski Championships in Formigal
Formigal
Formigal, officially called Aramón Formigal, is a ski resort situated near the town of Sallent de Gallego in the upper Tena Valley of the western Pyrenees .-The resort:...
, Spain in the combined discipline. From 2006 to 2008, she posted three more top 10 results at this event.
She earned two gold medals at the 2008 Canadian National Championships in Super-G and downhill, and three silver medals in 2009. Since she was still considered a junior in both 2008 and 2009, she went on to become the Canadian National Junior Champion in downhill, giant slalom, and slalom.
Her progress as a rising star and professional athlete can be followed online by visiting her racing biography through FIS-ski.com.
World Cup Results
Top 30| Date | Rank | Location | Discipline |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 December 2009 | 24 |  Lake LouiseLake Louise Mountain Resort The Lake Louise Ski Area is a ski resort located in Banff National Park, near the village of Lake Louise, Alberta, Canada. It can be reached from Banff, from where it is a 35 to 45 minute drive west on Trans-Canada Highway, or Calgary, a 2-hour drive... |
Super-G |
| 5 December 2009 | 16 | Lake Louise Lake Louise Mountain Resort The Lake Louise Ski Area is a ski resort located in Banff National Park, near the village of Lake Louise, Alberta, Canada. It can be reached from Banff, from where it is a 35 to 45 minute drive west on Trans-Canada Highway, or Calgary, a 2-hour drive... |
Downhill |
| 4 December 2009 | 24 | Lake Louise Lake Louise Mountain Resort The Lake Louise Ski Area is a ski resort located in Banff National Park, near the village of Lake Louise, Alberta, Canada. It can be reached from Banff, from where it is a 35 to 45 minute drive west on Trans-Canada Highway, or Calgary, a 2-hour drive... |
Downhill |
| 28 February 2009 | 30 |  BanskoBansko Bansko is a town and a popular ski resort in southwestern Bulgaria, located at the foot of the Pirin Mountains at an elevation of 925 m above sea level.... |
Downhill |
| 21 February 2009 | 9 |  Tarvisio |
Downhill |
| 19 December 2008 | 26 |  St.Moritz |
Super Combined |
| 5 December 2008 | 29 | Lake Louise Lake Louise Mountain Resort The Lake Louise Ski Area is a ski resort located in Banff National Park, near the village of Lake Louise, Alberta, Canada. It can be reached from Banff, from where it is a 35 to 45 minute drive west on Trans-Canada Highway, or Calgary, a 2-hour drive... |
Downhill |
Equipment and Sponsorship
- Skis: RossignolSkis RossignolSkis Rossignol S.A., or simply Rossignol, is a French manufacturer of alpine, snowboard, and Nordic equipment, as well as related outerwear and accessories, located in Isère, France. Rossignol was one of the first companies to produce plastic skis. The company also owns the brand Dynastar as well...
- Bindings: Rossignol
- Boots: Rossignol
- Poles: KomperdellKomperdellKomperdell is an Austrian pole manufacturer. They make poles for walking, Nordic skiing and Alpine skiing. They also make protective gear for skiers, like pole guards and shin guards used in slalom races. They also make impact vests for freeriders and racers....
- Helmet & Goggles: Uvex
- Sponsor: President's ChoicePresident's ChoicePresident's Choice also known as “PC,” is a private label or store brand owned by Loblaw Companies Limited, Canada’s largest food retailer. As the company’s premium line, President’s Choice includes a wide variety of grocery and household products, in addition to financial services and mobile...