Jan Hudec
AlpineOne of the most naturally-gifted skiers on the team, Hudec has a unique personal story that begins with his family fleeing their Czech homeland in a boat when he was a young child. After spending time in a West German refugee camp, the Hudecs eventually settled in Alberta. Hudec's ski career is a testament to his perseverance, having fought back from multiple major knee surgeries and other serious injuries. In 2007, he became the first Canadian in the history of the Lake Louise World Cup to win the downhill. He also claimed a world championship silver medal that year. In 2012, he won his first World Cup race since 2007 when he led Canada to a historic 1-3-5 finish in Chamonix, France.
Top Results
1st – Downhill – FIS World Cup – Chamonix, FRA (2012)
1st – Downhill – FIS World Cup - Lake Louise, CAN (2007)
2nd – Downhill – World Ski Championships - Are, SWE (2007)
World Cup rankings
(2021-13)
Overall: 35th
Downhill: 21st
Super-G: 15th
| Birth date: | 19/08/1981 |
| Birth place: | Sumperk, Czech Republic |
| Residence: | Calgary, Alta. |
| Hometown: | Calgary, Alta. |
| Ski club: | Banff Alpine Racers |
| Made team: | 1999 |
| Sponsor: | Blue Goose Capital Corp., pandaHAUS |
| Height: | 6-0 |
| Weight: | 205 pounds |
| Skis: | Rossignol |
| Boots: | Lange |
| Poles: | Leki |
| Helmet: | Dainese |
| Goggles: | Dainese |
Nicknames: Honzo, Hansi. In Czech, Honzo is the name given to everyone whose name is Jan, kind of like Richard-Dick. When you are calling someone, you say Honzo. Janosh is another nickname.
Best moment in ski racing: The 2007 world championships in Are, Sweden, when I was second, were pretty cool. That was kind of a big deal. One of my proudest is Bormio (World Cup race in Italy, in 2007), when I was third. It’s such a difficult track. As far as emotional moments, winning the World Cup in Lake Louise, Alta., in 2007 was probably the biggest.
Worst moment in ski racing: One of them was the Olympics in Vancouver, having a run that I thought was much better than the outcome (Jan was 23rd in the super-G and 25th in the downhill). The most frustrating time for me was at the beginning of the 2010-11 season, because of my back. Physically, I was fit but with the bad back I couldn’t ski to my full potential.
What one thing would you change about ski racing? The equipment. Try to make it safer . . . the bindings.
Best World Cup stop: I like Lake Louise, just because it’s home. Val Gardena, Italy, is cool. My favourite place of all time is St. Moritz, Switzerland, but we don’t race there with any regularity anymore.
Person you look up to most in ski racing: For a long time it was my dad because he was coaching me and had a good eye for skiing. Michael von Gruenigen (of Switzerland), because he was so far ahead of everyone else with his technique in giant slalom. He was just magic to watch. In terms of an all-round skier, Norway’s Lasse Kjus.
On your iPod: It’s random – everything from blues, to country, to punk, to metal. If it’s music I listen to it.
Favourite movie: Dumb & Dumber. That’s my favourite comedy of all time. Gladiator, maybe.
Hockey team: I don’t have a favourite but I like the Calgary Flames and Buffalo Sabres.
If you could have dinner with anyone, living or dead, who would it be? Jesus. Is it true I’m on the right path?
Something no-one knows about you: People know that I play the drums and I’m into motorbikes. Maybe they don’t know I can actually cook.
Favourite activities other than skiing: Motorbiking, playing music – the drums. I like all sports – everything from tennis, to golf, to cycling.
Superstitions: None.
If a movie was made about your life, who should play the lead role? Zach Galifianakis, the guy with the beard from The Hangover.
If you weren’t a skier what would you be? A rock star!
Funniest thing you’ve seen in ski racing: Any given year at the BoZo Cup at the end of each season. There’s always something funny there.
Most embarrassing moment: I don’t really have one. I don’t get embarrassed. However, I did spill coffee on my crotch on my world championships speed suit. It looked like I’d peed myself!
Describe yourself in three words: Funny. Caring. Able.
Podiums
2nd – Super-G – Crans-Montana, SUI (Feb. 2012)
1st – Downhill – Chamonix, FRA (Feb. 2012)
3rd – Downhill – Bormio, ITA (Dec. 2007)
1st – Downhill – Lake Louise, Alta. (Nov. 2007)
Finishes in the top 10
6th - Downhill - Kvitfjell, NOR (Mar. 2013)
10th – Super-G – Beaver Creek, USA (Dec. 2012)
8th – Downhill – Schladming, AUT (March 2012)
5th – Super-G – Crans-Montana, SUI (Feb. 2012)
6th – Downhill – Chamonix, FRA (Feb. 2012)
10th – Downhill – Kitzbühel, AUT (Jan. 2012)
10th – Super-G – Val Gardena-Groeden, ITA (Dec. 2011)
4th – Super-G – Lake Louise, CAN (Nov. 2011)
10th – Downhill – Kvitfjell, NOR (March 2011)
8th – Downhill – Wengen, SUI (Jan. 2009)
9th – Super-G – Val Gardena-Groeden, ITA (Dec. 2007)
9th – Super-G – Beaver Creek, USA (Dec. 2007)
8th – Super-G – Lake Louise, Alta. (Nov. 2007)
5th – Downhill – Garmisch-Partenkirchen, GER (Feb. 2007)
7th – Downhill – Lake Louise, Alta. (Nov. 2004)
2010 Olympic Winter Games – Vancouver, B.C.
23rd – Super-G
25th – Downhill
Canadian Championships
Canadian champion – Giant Slalom – Nakiska, Alta. (March 2011)
FIS World Ski Championships
9th - Downhill - Schladming, AUT (Feb. 2013)
12th - Super-G - Schladming, AUT (Feb. 2013)
25th – Downhill – Garmisch-Partenkirchen, GER (Feb. 2011)
2nd – Downhill – Are, SWE (Feb. 2007)
7th – Super-G – Are, SWE (Feb. 2007)
7th – Super-G – St. Mortiz, SUI (Feb. 2003)
