Three BC Team Athletes are named to National Alpine Development Team

Article #3028
2016-05-17
Published By: Kathy Stahr


Photo from BC Alpine website: www.bcalpine.comPhoto from BC Alpine website: www.bcalpine.comPhoto from BC Alpine website: www.bcalpine.com
(left to right - Sam Mulligan, Stefanie Fleckenstein, Riley Seger)

BC Alpine is excited to announce that three members of the BC Ski Team have been selected to represent Canada on the National Development Team. Please join us in congratulating Stefanie Fleckenstein and Riley Seger of the Whistler Mountain Ski Club, as well as Sam Mulligan from the Grouse Mountain Tyee Ski Club. These talented and dedicated athletes are set to begin chasing their goals of World Cup wins and Olympic gold medals.

Sam Mulligan, whose best ranking is 6th in the world (for his age and younger) in downhill, comes off a successful season, in spite of having managed a number of minor injuries.

"Being selected to the team is an exciting accomplishment for me, and I'm very happy to be making the step with a few of my BC teammates,” said Mulligan. “I have been reflecting on how I got here, and I am so thankful for all the people who have been involved from the very beginning. The whole team at BC Alpine is incredible, and it is programs like this that make it all possible! There's still a ways to go before world domination, and I'm looking forward to the hard work still to come!" 

Riley Seger will be joining older brother Brodie, who made the leap from the BC Team to the National Team two years ago. Seger’s best rank is 4th in the world (for his age and younger) in super-G.

"It feels good to know that the hard work we've been putting in is paying off,” said Seger. “I'm glad I have two of my BC teammates on the team as well, and I’m looking forward to more training and an exciting season ahead."

Stefanie Fleckenstein, whose best rank is 10th in super-G (internationally for her age and younger), wrapped up a stellar season that included numerous FIS gold medals and a trip to the World Junior Championships in Russia.

“I’m honored to be invited to the Alpine Canada Development Team and I’m really excited to get the summer training block underway,” said Fleckenstein. “It’s the next step in my progression towards representing Canada at the World Cup level. My coaches on the BC team (Ryan Jazic, PL Dumoulin, Nick Cooper and Johnny Crichton) have prepared me for what is to come, and Andrew Lambert has done his best to prepare me for the time I am going to be spending in the gym. I feel well prepared for the workload expected by Devo Team coaches, Peter Ryberic and Dani Robson. In addition to a big thanks to the sponsors of the BC Ski Team, I’d like to thank Nenad Lukac and Rossignol Canada, Level Gloves, POC Sports, Whistler Blackcomb and the WMSC for their continued support, allowing me to focus 100% on training and racing. I love ski racing and I’m eager to take this next step and keep driving toward my ultimate goals.”

“We at BC Alpine are extremely proud to be able to move athletes through our system and onto the national team,” said Athletic Director Johnny Crichton. “Our entire organization works tirelessly to provide the foundation and tools these racers will need to succeed on the world cup circuit. The addition of Stefanie, Sam and Riley brings the total to seventeen BC athletes representing Canada in alpine, ski cross and para alpine at the national level.

"I'm very proud and excited for Sam, Riley and Stef as they take this next step in their careers,” said BC Alpine Head Coach Nick Cooper. “I know all three have their sights set on World Cup glory and this is an important next phase for them."


2016-17 National Development Team

Men

Simon Fournier, Quebec, 1997

Sam Mulligan, BC (Grouse Tyee Ski Club) 1997

Huston Philp, Alberta, 1997

Jeffrey Read, Alberta, 1997

Riley Seger, BC (Whistler Mountain Ski Club) 1997

Women

Stefanie Fleckenstein, BC (Whistler Mountain Ski Club) 1997

Ali Nullmeyer, Ontario, 1998

Amelia Smart, Alberta, 1998

Marina Vilanova, Quebec, 1999