Canmore’s Grandi Retires
Thomas Grandi, a four-time Olympian, announced his retirement from competative ski racing today.
At a press conference during the Pontiac GMC Canadian Championships in Whistler, Grandi said he was looking forward to spending more time at home than he had over the course of his ski racing career.
“Today I’m handing my skis in for a new life,� said Grandi, who is married to Canadian Olympic cross-country skier Sara Renner. The couple have a daughter Aria, who was born Feb. 1st, 2007.
“Getting up in the morning to change diapers is going to be my biggest challenge for the next little while,� he added.
Grandi described his ski racing career as amazing, giving him the opportunity to travel the world and meet wonderful people. Grandi said he had noticed a slight loss of his competitive edge recently.
“One thing that you really need is that fire in your belly when you are ski racing because you have to be willing to take chances, to take risks. You need that to be competative and to be the best,“ said Grandi.
“I just didn’t have that fire this year and to me that was a clear sign it was time to move on,� Grandi said.
In recognition of Grandi’s leadership over the past 14 years and for his historic contributions alpine skiing, a run at Banff Alpine Racers ski club — Grandi’s home hill just outside Banff, AB — is being named in his honor.
“Whether forerunning events, speaking to young athletes or attending awards banquets, Thomas has always made himself available to Banff Alpine Racers ski club,� said Alpine Canada Alpin Chief Executive Officer Ken Read.
“No Canadian had ever made a significant mark in the technical events of alpine skiing before Thomas came along. He almost single-handedly worked with the coaches of the Canadian Alpine Ski Team to become a champion. He also has been a tremendous leader in building a team that has respect and is aiming to be amongst the leaders in 2010,� Read said.
Alpine Canada Alpin Chief Athletic Officer and Own the Podium Director Max Gartner, a long-time coach of Grandi’s, said the World Cup champion has had a tremendous impact on the sport in Canada.
“Thomas Grandi is a pioneer of Canadian sport. He opened doors and has been instrumental in inspiring young skiers. He spent so many lonely years out there chasing his dream and eventually achieved it. Most of all, Thomas is a winner,� said Gartner, who first met Grandi when he was on the Alberta Team in 1986.
“I can remember us having conversations about his goal to be the first Canadian to win a Giant Slalom, a technical event. Today brings back the memories of how happy I was for him that day,� he added.
Grandi won back-to-back World Cup Giant Slalom races in Alta Badia, ITA and Flachau, AUT in 2004. He retires with nine career World Cup podium finishes and 11 Canadian Championship titles.
