Calgary, Canada (Thursday, August 3, 2006) - Alpine Canada Alpin (ACA) has announced a restructuring of leadership positions to prepare the organization for the major events coming to Canada over the next four years, including additional World Cup ski races and the 2010 Olympic Winter Games in Vancouver. Part of that restructuring involves creation of a chief operating officer post for Canada's national governing body for alpine ski racing.

ACA is launching an immediate search for an experienced chief operating officer, whose primary focus will be to manage the day-to-day operations of the growing sports organization and build on the leadership and progressive athlete development that has transformed Alpine Canada Alpin into one of Canada’s leading National Sport Organizations. Ken Read, President of ACA, will be responsible for the organization’s strategic direction, developing leading-edge tactics and spearheading efforts to fulfill Alpine Canada Alpin mission with the goal to deliver to athletes the human, technical and financial resources required to be the world’s best. The changes are designed to ensure the athletes of the Canadian Alpine Ski Team are given the support necessary for success.

“Within this new leadership structure, I can dedicate my passion and knowledge to the strategic objectives of Alpine Canada Alpin and Canadian ski racing. This includes developing strategies and securing the resources necessary to get athletes on the podium and build a ski racing system which will compete with the best today, tomorrow and well beyond 2010,” said Read. “Our new COO will have the time to ensure all our resources support our growing number of initiatives, from the grassroots to the World Cup level.”

“Alpine ski racing in Canada is growing tremendously. These steps are to enhance our commitment to be a leader and to position the organization to meet the many opportunities of the next four years as we look forward to the 2010 Games in Vancouver,” said John Read, ACA Board Chairman. “With additional resources and a clear, sharp focus Alpine Canada Alpin intends to continue building on the success of our athletes, further enhance the investment of our partners and continue to aggressively build our coaching and athlete development programs.”

Since 2002, Alpine Canada Alpin and the sport of alpine ski racing have seen steady growth and the young athletes of CAST/CDAST have dramatically raised Canada’s standing in World Cup and Olympic/Paralympic competition. With 12 World Cup medals last season, five Paralympic medals and a strong team performance at the Olympic Winter Games – Canada recorded the country’s best ever performance in alpine skiing - the Canadian Alpine Ski Teams have moved from 12th to 6th in the FIS Alpine Ski World Cup Nations ranking and to 4th in the Disabled World Cup rankings since 2002.

Over the past four years, revenue has increased 150% through long term commercial partnerships, enhanced fundraising programs including the Podium Club, Founders Club and Rising Stars projects which now direct nearly C$1 million in funding towards athlete development and strategic partnerships with funding agencies including Sport Canada, the Canadian Olympic Committee and Own The Podium.

However, to compete on a level playing field with other world-leading countries, Alpine Canada Alpin officials indicate that their organization requires at least C$3 million more in funding each year as well as bolstering the Alpine Canada Alpin Foundation to a projected goal of at least C$20 million.