Hall of Famer
Currie Chapman
Affiliated Discipline(s):
Alpine
Hometown:
Ottawa, ON / Old Chelsea, Que. / Calgary, AB / Sidney, BC
Active Career Period:
1964 -
Induction CSHF:
1993
Induction Category:
Alpine, Downhill, Slalom, Giant Slalom, Coach, Official
Currie Chapman, was responsible for the Canadian National Women’s Alpine Skiing Program from 1978 – 1988, leading the team to international prominence with 11-World Cup victories, 2-World Championship Medals and an Olympic Medal. Some of the skiers who became internationally prominent under his coaching include, Kathy Kreiner, Gerry Sorensen, Liisa Savijarvi, Laurie Graham and Karen Percy.
He was a member of the Canadian National Alpine Ski Team for 5-years from 1964-1968 and became the first Canadian to graduate from a university through an athletic scholarship; Notre Dame University, Nelson, British Columbia, B.A. degree (majoring in psychology and counseling).
In 1986, he was named “Coach of the Year” by the Canadian Federal Government at the Tribute to Champions event and was a finalist in Air Canada’s Coach of The Year Award in 1987 and 1988.
His book, On the Edge: The Inside Story of the Canadian Women’s Ski Team, (McGraw Hill Ryerson, January 1988) reflected on his coaching philosophy and explored the motivation of elite athletes as they strive to become the best in the world.
1980 Level 4, Canadian Federation of Ski Coaches
1981 Master Coach, The Canadian Association of Coaches
Currie Chapman was inducted into the Canadian Olympic Hall of Fame in 2005.
Please Note: The ski information gathered here is compiled from a number of sources; it may not be inclusive of all accomplishments.
Copyright © 2021, Canadian Ski Museum. For Personal/Educational use only. All Rights Reserved.
Canada’s Currie Chapman (left) coaches at the alpine ski event at the 1984 Winter Olympics in Sarajevo. (CP PHOTO/ COA/C. McNeil) Library and Archives Canada.
Women’s National Alpine Ski Team 1978-79 [L to R] : Gustave Chable (coach), Martine Lesieur, Kathy Kreiner, Marie Dufresne, Ann Blackburn, Laurie Graham, Loni Klettl, Dianne Lehodey, Currie Chapman (coach). Alpine Canada Alpin.
National Alpine Ski Team 1985 [top row]: Currie Chapman (head coach), Jim Kirby, Gary Athans, Chris McIver, Scott Shaver, Glenn Wurtele [2nd row]: ?, Don Stevens, Felix Belczyk, Paul Boivin, Todd Brooker, Chris Kent [3rd row]: Laurie Graham, Andréa Bédard, Karen Percy, Karen Stemmle, Josée Lacasse [bottom row]: Liisa Savijarvi, Diana Haight, Kerrin Lee Gartner. Alpine Canada Alpin.
National Alpine Ski Team 1985-86 [top row]: Todd Brooker, ?, Mike Tommy, Derek Thussler, Gary Athans, Alain Villiard, Paul Boivin, Don Stevens, Don Lyon (coach), Currie Chapman (coach), Max Gartner (coach), Carl Petersen (Fitness Co-ordinator) [2nd row]: Piotr Jelen (coach), Germain Barrette (coach), Bruce Henry (coach), ?, Felix Belczyk, Rob Boyd, Istvan Balyi, Glenn Wurtele [3rd row]: Jim Kirby, Andréa Bédard, Jim Read, Chris Kent, Brian Stemmle, Dan Moar, Chris McIver, Diana Haight, Scott Shaver [4th row]: Karen Stemmle, Laurie Graham, Kerrin Lee Gartner, Liisa Savijarvi, Kellie Casey, Josée Lacasse, Karen Percy. Alpine Canada Alpin.
Women’s National Alpine Ski Team 1986-87 [top row]: Michelle McKendry, Karen Percy, Liisa Savijarvi [bottom row]: Karen Stemmle, Ann Taciuk, Currie Chapman (coach). CSHFM Collection.
Men’s National Alpine Ski Team 1987-88 [top row]: Jim Read, Ralf Socher, Brian Stemmle, Don Stevens [bottom row]: Mike Tommy, Alain Villiard, Glenn Wurtele, Currie Chapman. Alpine Canada Alpin.
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