Path to the Podium 2025 – Saturday, November 22, at the Georgian Peaks Ski Club

Path to the Podium has become one of the most impactful fundraising events supporting alpine ski racing in Canada. As a community led initiative, our goal is to provide critical support for our leading athletes and engage ski racing families, build awareness and inspire future generations to achieve podiums.

This support made an enormous difference last year. The generosity of all those who attended Path to the Podium helped lift our Team led by Jack Crawford who took gold in the Hahnenkamm downhill at Kitzbühel, Austria. In a sport where the margin of victory is measured in hundredths of a second, every contribution matters. Your support equips our athletes with the human and financial resources they need to compete with the very best.

Links to Jack Crawford’s Hahnenkamm Gondola presentation event:

KitzTV:

Gondel als Trophäe – feierliche Übergabe an Abfahrtssieger James Crawford

Hahnenkamm News:

Ski Canada Celebrates on the Hahnenkamm

2025 Path to Podium Organizing Committee:

Lori & Dave Blandford

Laurel & Angus Crawford

Nick Hamilton

Jeff MacInnis

Brad Nullmeyer

Lynda & Ken Read

Judy Black

Path To the Podium- Dinner Gala- December 2024

The 4th annual Path To the Podium gala Fundraiser was a resounding success on Saturday November 30th at the Georgian Peaks Club. This is a volunteer led initiative to rally the local community in support of 6 ski racers with Escarpment roots who are racing at the World Cup level this year. More broadly, the Path to the Podium campaign creates opportunities to elevate our athletes chances of success with extra resources. This year’s ski team alumni panel featured legendary Crazy Canucks Steve Podborski, Ken Read and World Championship medalist Laurie Graham. The panel discussion was Hosted by Scott Russell (40 year CBC sportscaster) and offered important stories to share knowledge with the next generation of racers. What an inspirational evening. Thank you so much for the support of this event! Photos by Dave West and Jeff MacInnis.

A short recap and thanks for the support video from the athletes:

 https://vimeo.com/1038541014/23cb2a0dcf?share=copy

2024 Path to Podium Organizing Committee:

Lori & Dave Blandford

Laurel & Angus Crawford

Nick Hamilton

Jeff MacInnis

Wendy Robertson & Christopher McCormack

Brad Nullmeyer

Lynda & Ken Read

Judy Black

Supporting Escarpment Excellence on the World Cup

Inspired by the recent Paris Olympics, the Path to the Podium (PTP) campaign highlights the critical role of community support in athletes' journeys to success. Now in its fourth year, PTP is dedicated to boosting Canadian alpine ski racers' chances on the world stage by raising additional funds to enhance their existing programs. This year, PTP is focusing on six alpine athletes with roots in the Escarpment area, including Ali Nullmeyer, Kyle Blandford, Jack Crawford, Declan McCormack, Erik Read, and Jeff Read. By fostering community involvement through events like the upcoming gala at Georgian Peaks, PTP aims to unite supporters in providing the necessary resources for these athletes to compete with the world's best, emphasizing a zero overhead model where all raised funds go directly to the athletes.

Despite having two reigning world champions, Canada faces significant challenges compared to dominant nations in alpine skiing, such as limited funding and programming. PTP has already made a tangible impact, like funding extra training that contributed to unexpected wins and Olympic medals. This initiative exemplifies the power of collective effort, proving that a strong community foundation can elevate athletes to new heights. The campaign continues to seek sponsors and ambassadors who value transparent, impactful fundraising, reinforcing the idea that "it takes a village to raise a ski racer." Join us in this effort to support our athletes and be part of their journey to the podium.

To learn more: https://vimeo.com/1012182682/8ab112c311?share=copy

Escarpment Corridor Alliance

June 2024 

The Escarpment is a beautiful thing. It’s a unique part of Ontario and is a highlight of the Collingwood and surrounding area. That’s why I am so glad to help raise awareness for an organization called the Escarpment Corridor Alliance. The ECA is a locally registered charity whose vision is to create a permanently protected and connected ecological corridor across the Niagara Escarpment of South Georgian Bay, for nature and for future generations. The business of conservation and protection are of vital importance to ensure we don’t allow developments which would cause the Escarpment to lose its lustre, uniqueness and natural quality. ECA are doing great work to protect our backyard. I was pleased to join forces with fellow advisor Mike Eastmure (RBC DS in Toronto) to provide a small joint donation but to show that RBC Dominion Securities values the work they are doing. 

To learn more visit: https://myescarpment.ca/

The Pursuit of Excellence

Masters Racer Mike Robbins wins the coveted Crystal Globe in FIS Alpine Ski Racing

April 2024

I recently had the pleasure of sitting down with fellow escarpment masters ski racer Mike Robbins (Osler Bluff Ski Club) to discuss his amazing achievement of recently winning the 2023-24 FIS Overall Crystal Globe for Masters’ ski racing in his age group on the world stage. This is an achievement never done by a Canadian until now although he has climbed the 2nd and third step of the podium for Crystal Globes in 3 previous years namely 2014, 2016 and 2020.

Mike, now in his seventies, resumed racing as an adult on the world stage when he visited Sun Valley ID for the 2005 FIS World Criterium. Since then, he has been a dedicated competitor and has sought out annual training to improve and compete against the best in the world in Masters racing.

As an Escarpment ski racer originally, Mike joins the pedigree of world class athletes whose abilities and talents were groomed right here on our modest slopes. Mike’s example and other Escarpment racers such as Rolf Hauge and Denyse Houde who have podiumed for overall points Crystal Globes in the past are exceptional stories of top-level sport achievements later in life. One could argue this ambition is more difficult with age and yet these Masters athletes continue to fight to be their very best.

Masters racing I find to be highly inspirational as it sets an example for many who are passionate about a sport they love- to continue to compete and to try to be their very best- no matter what age.

I was in conversation with Canadian ski legend Ken Read recently (brother-in-law to Mike) who had this to share about him:

“Mike has shown remarkable determination and dedication to win the overall Masters World Cup for his age category. It’s not easy to maintain the high level of excellence to compete with Masters’ athletes from around the world. I’m always impressed with his high level of fitness, his focus on training on & off the snow. He is a true champion and an example that ski racing should be a life-long passion!”

What this result also reminds me is that the ‘sky is the limit’ for Escarpment racers. With World Cup contenders like Jack Crawford and Ali Nullmeyer competing in their 20s and beating the best in the world- and Mike Robbins doing the same some 50 years later. Wow- Well done!

Mike has also been a very generous supporter of our Path To The Podium annual campaigns to help acknowledge, celebrate and foster future success of Canadian ski racers. His recent result certainly helps inspire us and that the pursuit of excellence, for some, never grows old!

I am very pleased to continue to sponsor ski racing athletes of all ages in order to better our ability as a community to thrive into the future. I truly believe that “Skiing is for life”.

United Way Simcoe Muskoka Real2Reel Documentary Film Festival

March 2024

I was very pleased to represent The RBC Foundation recently as we supported the United Way of Simcoe and Muskoka’s Real2Reel Documentary Film festival happening now around the area. This is our 7th year supporting the efforts of United Way Simcoe & Muskoka with approx. $115,000 in total funding. Last night’s screening in Collingwood was a moving film entitled “Four Feet Up” about a Canadian Family living below the poverty line and an 8 year old boy named Isaiah who shares his experiences and interprets his reality. I really want to commend the United Way’s leadership to bring the community together to share these important stories like this regarding childhood poverty- a reality that is unfortunately growing in our communities in the face of inflation and mental health. There are 3 other events and movies taking place in Simcoe county which will also present and discuss films on the topics of Human trafficking, substance disorders and social inclusion. Through community acknowledgement, discussion and collaboration we can certainly find a way to make a difference. Well done, United Way.

https://uwsimcoemuskoka.ca/real2reel-film-festival/

https://www.nfb.ca/film/four_feet_up/