Hall of Famer
Felix Belczyk
A two-time Olympian and the first North American to win a World Cup super-G, Felix Belczyk was known for his technical prowess and smooth skiing during his decade with the Canadian national team from 1982 to 1992.
Born in Calgary and raised in the Kootenays, Belczyk came up through the Red Mountain Racers in Rossland, B.C., during the club’s prolific 1980s era, when it regularly sent athletes to the national team.
He represented Canada at the 1988 Olympic Winter Games in Calgary and the 1992 Games in Albertville, France. He also competed in four world championships between 1985 and 1991.
Belczyk made history in 1988 by winning a World Cup super-G in Leukerbad, Switzerland, by nearly half a second over Swiss legend Pirmin Zurbriggen. He posted 15 career top-10 World Cup results, including a fourth-place finish on the famed Hahnenkamm course at Kitzbühel, Austria, in 1986, and a downhill podium in Are, Sweden, in 1990.
After retiring from the World Cup, Belczyk raced professionally, winning multiple events on the Jeep King of the Mountain tour, along with other endurance and downhill competitions.
He later coached ski cross at a high level, serving on the Canadian team staff that captured gold and silver at the 2014 Olympic Winter Games in Sochi.
CAREER HIGHLIGHTS
- 1983 — 1st, British downhill championships
- 1986 — 4th, World Cup downhill, Kitzbühel, Austria
- 1988 — 1st, World Cup super-G, Leukerbad, Switzerland; 3rd, Olympic Games combined (downhill), Calgary
- 1989 — 1st, super-G, Canadian championships
- 1990 — 1st, downhill, Canadian championships; 3rd, World Cup downhill, Are, Sweden
- 1993 — 1st, Aspen Extreme 24-hour endurance race, Aspen, Colo.
- 1994-95 — 2nd overall, King of the Mountain Tour
- 1994 — 2nd, Aspen Extreme 24-hour endurance race, Aspen, Colo.
- 1995 — 1st, Saudan Couloir, Blackcomb, B.C.
- 1995-96 — 3rd overall, Jeep King of the Mountain Tour
- 1997 — 1st, Jeep King of the Mountain, Vail, Colo.
- 1998 — 1st, Jeep King of the Mountain, Jackson Hole, Wyo.; 1st, Jeep King of the Mountain professional downhill, Sugarbush, Vt.
Note: Information compiled from several sources; may not include all accomplishments. © Canadian Ski Museum & Hall of Fame. For personal/educational use only. All rights reserved.
Felix Belczyk. Photo: Alpine Canada Alpin.
Felix Belczyk, receiving a gold medal after winning a World Cup super-G in Leukerbad, Switzerland, by nearly half a second over Swiss legend Pirmin Zurbriggen (left). Personal collection.
Felix Belczyk featured on a Tyrolia card. The photo was taken at the 1989 World Championships in Vail, Colorado. Personal collection.
Felix Belczyk. Alpine Canada Alpin
Felix Belczyk during his final pro race, at Sunshine Village in 2000. Personal collection.
National Alpine Men’s Ski Team c. 1983 [L to R]: Scott Shaver, Steve Podborski, Todd Brooker, Robin McLeish, Felix Belczyk, Chris Kent. Alpine Canada Alpin / Alec Pytlowany.
National Alpine Men’s Ski Team c. 1984 [back row]: Paul Boivin, Don Stevens, Alain Villiard, François Jodoin?, Mike Tommy, Todd Brooker [front row]: Felix Belczyk, ?, Chris McIver, Gary Athans, Jim Read. Alpine Canada Alpin.
Men’s National Alpine Ski Team 1984-85 [top row]: Todd Brooker, Gary Athans, Felix Belczyk, Chris Kent [bottom row]: Paul Boivin, Scott Shaver, Chris McIver, Don Stevens. Alpine Canada Alpin.
National Alpine Ski Team 1986 [back row]: Todd Brooker, Mike Tommy, Jim Read, Felix Belczyk, Don Stevens [front row]: Brian Stemmle, Rob Boyd, Chris Kent. Alpine Canada Alpin.
National Alpine Ski Team 1986 [Back row]: Chris Kent, Gary Athans, Chris McIver, Dan Moar, Mike Carney, Rob Bosinger [Front row]: Don Stevens, Felix Belczyk, Brian Stemmle, Todd Brooker. Alpine Canada Alpin.
National Alpine Ski Team 1986 [back row]: Paul Boivin, Chris Kent, Don Stevens, Felix Belczyk, Daniel Moar, Gary Athans [front row]: Brian Stemmle, Chris McIver, Scott Shaver, Jim Kirby, Rob Boyd, Todd Brooker. Alpine Canada Alpin.
Men’s National Alpine Ski Team 1987-88 [top row]: Felix Belczyk, Peter Bosinger, Rob Bosinger, Rob Boyd [bottom row]: Mike Carney, Rob Crossan, Greg Grossman, Dan Moar. Alpine Canada Alpin.
SUBSCRIBE
