Gerry Sorensen

Gerry Sorensen was one of Canada’s top female downhill racers, becoming the first Canadian woman since Lucile Wheeler in 1958 to win a world championship downhill title, which she captured in February 5, 1982 in Schladming, Austria.

During the era of unprecedented success by the “Crazy Canucks” men’s downhill team, Sorensen matched their performances with a brief but outstanding World Cup career from 1980 to 1984.

Born in Kimberley, B.C., in October 1958, Sorensen was a member of Canada’s national team from 1980 until her retirement in March 1984. In her first year on the team, in February 1981, she earned her first World Cup downhill top 5 finish in Mégève, France. Just one week later, she established herself as a serious contender by winning a World Cup downhill in Haus — the first Canadian woman to do so in over a decade.

Sorensen silenced those who thought her early success was a fluke when, in January 1982, she won back-to-back World Cup downhills in Grindelwald, Switzerland. Her reputation was cemented a month later when, on Feb. 4, she claimed the world championship downhill title in Haus, Austria on Feb. 5, 1982.

Described by her coaches as a highly dedicated and meticulous athlete, Sorensen thrived on challenges and was regarded as one of the best “gliders” on the World Cup circuit, as well as one of the strongest. She also excelled in the Pontiac Cup domestic series and at the Canadian championships.

Gerry Sorensen received multiple accolades and awards (listed below) over her impressive career in alpine ski racing.

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

• 1980 – Third place, downhill, Canadian championships; third place, combined, Canadian championships.
• 1981 – Fifth place, downhill, World Cup, Mégève, France; first place, downhill, World Cup, Haus, Austria; first place, downhill, Canadian championships.
• 1982 – First place, downhill, World Cup, Grindelwald, Switzerland (twice); first place, downhill, world championships, Haus, Austria; third place, downhill, World Cup, Arosa, Switzerland; fourth place, downhill, World Cup, Val d’Isère, France.
• 1983 – Fifth place, downhill, World Cup, Schruns, Austria; second place, downhill, North American Ski Trophy Series (twice); first place, downhill, Canadian championships; fourth place, downhill, World Cup, Val d’Isère, France.
• 1984 – First place, downhill, World Cup, Puy-Saint-Vincent, France; fifth place, super-G, World Cup, Puy-Saint-Vincent, France; fifth place, downhill, World Cup, Mégève, France; tied sixth place, downhill, Olympic Winter Games, Sarajevo, Yugoslavia; fourth place, downhill, World Cup, Mont-Sainte-Anne, Que.

AWARDS

• Athlete of the month, February 1981 – Sports Federation of Canada.
• World champion award, 1982 Tribute to Champions – Government of Canada.
• Bobbi Rosenfeld Award, female athlete of the year – 1982.
• Runner-up, Velma Springstead Trophy, female athlete of the year – 1982.
• British Columbia’s athlete of the year – 1981 and 1982.
• Inducted into the Canadian Amateur Sports Hall of Fame – 1983.
• Sport excellence award, 1984 Tribute to Champions – Government of Canada.

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.