Gault Kerr Gillespie

Gault Kerr Gillespie’s lifelong passion for skiing began in the Laurentians in the 1920s and led to a remarkable career as a competitor, coach, builder and official.

Born in Outremont, Que., in 1915, Gillespie began skiing to school with his siblings along what became known as the Gillespie Trail. He started racing in 1931 and quickly earned success, winning the Ste-Agathe Ski Trophy in 1932 and the Laurentian 18-kilometre race in 1934 — defeating four former Olympians.

Between 1934 and 1940, he won multiple championships across Quebec and Canada, including back-to-back national cross-country titles in 1939 and 1940. He later achieved Class A status in slalom and downhill, regularly placing among Quebec’s top alpine racers.

Although selected for the cancelled 1940 Olympic Winter Games, Gillespie remained active during the war, working in munitions and coaching youth. In 1947, he opened a ski tow in Val-David, Que., and the following year returned to racing, placing third at the Canadian championships.

He co-founded the Two Mountains Ski Club in 1963, later serving as president and launching a Nancy Greene program. His children also competed at a high level.

Appointed a Canadian alpine official in 1977, Gillespie officiated at national and international events, including the 1980 Olympic Winter Games in Lake Placid, N.Y. In 1984, he was inducted into the Laurentian Ski Hall of Fame.

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

• 1932 – Won Ste-Agathe Ski Trophy.
• 1934 – Won Laurentian 18-kilometre race, defeating four former Olympians.
• 1934–38 – Three-time winner, Laurentian Zone Championship; won Mount Royal cross-country race; 2nd place, 50-kilometre race.
• 1939 – Canadian 18-kilometre national champion, Fort William, Ont.; 9th in downhill, 11th in slalom; won Quebec Provincial and Vallée St-Maurice 18-kilometre races; won Laurentian Zone 18- and 50-kilometre races.
• 1940 – Defended Canadian 18-kilometre title in Banff, Alta.; gold medals at Eastern Canadian, Quebec Provincial and Laurentian Zone championships; winner of Mont Royal Trophy.
• 1941 – Gold medal, slalom, Lac Beauport, Que.; bronze medal, downhill, Ste-Marguerite, Que.
• 1947 – Established ski tow and trails in Val-David, Que.
• 1948 – 3rd place, 18-kilometre event, Canadian championships in Banff, Alta.
• 1963 – Co-founded Two Mountains Ski Club, Que.; served as president; launched Nancy Greene racing program.
• 1975–76 – Recognized by Laurentian Ski Zone for outstanding service to skiing.
• 1977 – Appointed Canadian alpine official.
• 1979–80 – Officiated at the U.S. championships, World Cup, and Olympic Winter Games in Lake Placid, N.Y.
• 1984 – Inducted into the Laurentian Ski Hall of Fame.

Note: The information gathered in this biography was compiled from a number of sources; it may not be inclusive of all accomplishments. Copyright © Canadian Ski Hall of Fame & Museum. For personal and/or educational use only. All rights reserved.