Todd Brooker

Todd Brooker, the last of the “Crazy Canucks,” built a short but distinguished international career marked by grit and flair. Over 10 years with the Canadian national ski team (1977–87), he captured seven World Cup medals, including three downhill victories at Kitzbühel, Austria; Aspen, Colo.; and Furano, Japan.

Born in Waterloo, Ont., Brooker learned to ski at Blue Mountain near Collingwood and earned a spot on the national team in 1977. In his World Cup debut at Val Gardena, Italy, he finished an impressive 14th. His career highlights included competing at the 1984 Olympic Winter Games in Sarajevo and at the world championships in Schladming, Austria, in 1982 and Bormio, Italy, in 1985. He entered 28 World Cup downhills, scored points in six overall standings, and placed in the top 15 on 15 occasions.

Brooker’s greatest triumph and most devastating accident both came on the famed Streif in Kitzbühel. In 1983, he conquered the Hahnenkamm downhill, becoming the third Canadian in four years to win the race after Ken Read (1980) and Steve Podborski (1981), breaking Europe’s dominance at the event. But in January 1987, a spectacular crash on a training run ended his season and ultimately his racing career.

In 1987, Brooker received the Johnny F. Bassett Memorial Award as Canada’s “Champion of Champions” in recognition of both his athletic achievement and character.

After retiring, Brooker became one of the most respected voices in ski broadcasting, providing colour commentary and analysis for World Cup, Olympic and world championship events with major networks. He later returned to southern Ontario, where he manages a real estate company in Collingwood.

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

• 1975 — 1st, downhill, Canadian junior championships; 2nd, slalom, Canadian junior championships; 3rd, giant slalom, Canadian junior championships
• 1976 — 1st, downhill, Ontario championships
• 1977 — 2nd, downhill, Pontiac Cup, Mont-Sainte-Anne, Que.
• 1982 — 2nd, downhill, World Cup, Aspen, Colo.
• 1983 — 1st, downhill, World Cup, Kitzbühel, Austria; 1st, downhill, World Cup, Aspen, Colo.; 2nd, downhill, World Cup, Val Gardena, Italy; 2nd, downhill, World Cup, Val d’Isère, France; recipient, Sport Excellence Award; Canadian alpine skier of the year
• 1985 — 1st, downhill, World Cup, Furano, Japan; 3rd, downhill, World Cup, Kitzbühel, Austria; recipient, Sport Excellence Award

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.