Lucile Wheeler Vaughan

Lucile Wheeler made an indelible mark on alpine ski racing in Canada with a remarkable competitive career that began on trails near St-Jovite, Quebec, and took her to the world’s biggest ski racing venues.

In 1956, Lucile became the first Canadian to win an Olympic medal in skiing, a bronze in the downhill and the first North American to win an Olympic medal in downhill. The 1956 skiing events were also a world championships, and the FIS medals were presented.

Lucile was on skis at age two, running messages three-quarters of a mile from her home to Gray Rocks, the internationally famous inn owned by her family. Unlike other children, she was coached by the late Herman Gadner, director of the Gray Rocks Ski School, a man who profoundly influenced the development of uniform instruction and coaching techniques in Canada.

In 1945, Lucile entered her first ski race on her 10th birthday – a double downhill at Mont Tremblant, where all contestants, men and women, raced on the same course – where she finished seventh in the women’s classification. Lucile went on to win many races and was selected to represent Canada at an international meet in Lake Placid, New York — at just 12 years old.

Lucile retired from racing in 1959 and made instructional ski videos. She and her family settled in Quebec’s Eastern Townships, where they launched a program to make skiing affordable and accessible for generations of local schoolchildren. Inducted into both the Canadian and U.S. Ski Halls of Fame, Wheeler was a flag bearer at the opening ceremony of the 1988 Calgary Winter Games.

Lucile was made an officer of the Order of Canada in 1976, among many honours including the Lou Marsh Trophy as Canada’s athlete of the year in 1958, and the Velma Springstead Memorial Trophy for outstanding female athlete. Wheeler was the first Canadian to receive the Perry Medal from the Ski Club of Great Britain and has been inducted into the Quebec Hall of Fame and the Laurentian Hall of Fame (1982).

Perhaps the greatest compliment came from an unknown writer during her competitive years: “Lucile is much admired by her rivals in Europe and is thoroughly respected by ski officials everywhere for her fine sportsmanship. She never complains, often praises and is most loyal to her coaches. Despite her achievements, she remains modest and unassuming. She is an ambassador of whom all Canada is proud — in Canadian sports history she is a living legend.”

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

• 1956: bronze medal, downhill, Olympic Winter Games, Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy; 6th place, giant slalom, Olympic Winter Games, Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy; bronze medal, downhill, world championships, Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy.
• 1957: gold medal (first Canadian to win the Hahenkamm downhill and combined) at Kitzbuhel, Austria.
• 1958: gold medal, downhill, world championships, Bad Gastein, Austria; gold medal, giant slalom, world championships, Bad Gastein, Austria; silver medal, combined, world championships, Bad Gastein, Austria.

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.