MEN Devon Kershaw
CANADIAN NORDIC SKIER OF THE YEAR
When Devon Kershaw crossed the finish line in the men’s 50K
at the 2010 Olympic Winter Games, he had given his all and
then some, finishing a remarkable fifth, just 1.6 seconds from
Petter Northug (the winner) and only 0.6 seconds from a bronze
medal. Kershaw was disappointed in not achieving his Olympic
medal dream, and yet his performances were simply inspirational. His fourth (as part of the team sprint with Alex Harvey)
and fifth at the Games are testament to his commitment and
his fearless skiing. In addition, Kershaw, 27, skied almost all the
World Cup tour and the grueling Tour de Ski. His season was
brilliant, and his future is brighter than ever.
WOMEN Sara Renner
CANADIAN NORDIC SKIER OF THE YEAR
At the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games, Sara Renner,
34, concluded a brilliant and graceful career. Renner, of Can-more, Alberta, had won a silver medal in the 2006 Olympic Winter Games in Torino and just before the Vancouver
Games, made her first World Cup podium appearance in
four years finishing third in her hometown. Her final race
was the women’s 30K classic. In her typical competitiveness,
Renner finished up the day in a strong 16th, the top North
American, and left everything she had out on the track. For
her results this season and for her indomitable spirit through
her career, we honor Renner for all she has done for the sport
in Canada.
WOMEN Antje Maempel
COLLEGIATE NORDIC SKIER OF THE YEAR
Antje Maempel of Denver University was, without question,
the most dominant force in 2010 NCAA skiing — cross country or alpine, male or female. Maempel’s toughest weekend
of racing this season was at the University of New Mexico,
where she finished second in the 10K free and third in the 5K
classic. Throughout the rest of the season, she tallied a total
of eight collegiate wins including double victories at Montana State, Nevada, and National Championships. It is the
second consecutive year she won both races at NCAAs, and
the second consecutive year of this award for Ms. Maempel.
