Madison Irwin
AlpineA newcomer to the Canadian Alpine Ski Team in 2011, Irwin is a versatile skier who has recorded nine Nor-Am Cup podiums in super combined, super-G, giant slalom and slalom. Irwin was 10th in giant slalom at the 2011 FIS Junior World Ski Championships. The native of Toronto, Ont., comes from a sports-mad family; her twin brother Keegan plays rugby, her sister Mackenzie skis for St. Lawrence University in the U.S., while fellow sibling Brayden plays hockey for the Toronto Maple Leafs' farm team.
Top Results
1st – Slalom – Nor-Am Cup – Vail, USA (2012)
2nd – Super combined – Canadian Championships – Nakiska, Alta. (2011)
2nd – Super-G – Nor-Am Cup – Nakiska, Alta. (2011)
Nor-Am rankings
(2011-12)
Overall: 4th
Slalom: 7th
Downhill: 11th
Giant slalom: 10th
Super combined: 7th
Super-G: 4th
| Birth date: | 18/07/1991 |
| Birth place: | Toronto, Ont. |
| Residence: | Toronto, Ont. |
| Hometown: | Toronto, Ont. |
| Ski club: | Craigleith Ski Club |
| Made team: | 2011 |
| Sponsor: | Rocket National Services |
| Height: | 5-10 |
| Weight: | 155 pounds |
| Skis: | Head |
| Boots: | Head |
| Poles: | Leki |
| Helmet: | Uvex |
| Goggles: | Uvex |
Nickname: Madi, Mad Dog. I’m not really sure how Mad Dog started but it was when I was racing in Collingwood, Ont. I didn’t tell anybody about it when I made Prospect Team but my teammates came up with it as well. I must give off that vibe!
Best moment in ski racing: When I got the call to tell me that I had made the national team I was moved to tears. I didn’t cry on the phone (when head coach Hugues Ansermoz called), but I got home and my mom was there and I said, “I’ve got something to tell you … ”
Worst moment in ski racing: I’ve had bad moments but they’ve been short-lived and I forget about them.
What one thing would you change about ski racing? If I could change one thing, it would be that we never, ever have injuries.
Best World Cup stop: I don’t have a favourite yet.
Person you look up to most in ski racing: I have a couple of coaches that I’m close to. I respect their position in ski racing and how much they’ve contributed to athletes’ development – Fritz Vallant and Bebe Zoricic.
On your iPod: Literally everything and I shuffle – I like it that way.
Favourite movie: Anything with Will Ferrell.
Hockey team: The Maple Leafs. My brother, Brayden, played with them and is now with the (AHL farm club) Marlies. We all bleed blue and white.
If you could have dinner with anyone, living or dead, who would it be? I would say my mom’s dad. He died when my mom was young but from all the stories I’ve heard and seeing the dynamic of my mom’s family, he would be an interesting guy to know.
Something no-one knows about you: I’m very open. One thing people might not know is that I have a twin – Keegan. He plays football.
Favourite activities other than skiing: I like doing anything outdoors and recently got into paddle-boarding. When not skiing I like to stick to summer activities like kayaking.
Superstitions: I always knock on wood. If a thought comes into my head I try not to verbalize it but even if I don’t, I knock on wood.
If a movie was made about your life, who should play the lead role? Someone tall! (Madi is 5-10).
What’s a talent you wish you had? I wish I was creative, artistic.
If you weren’t a skier what would you be? I would probably be a badass business woman.
Funniest thing you’ve seen in ski racing: At Roundhill in New Zealand last summer, we saw people skiing in Morphsuits.
Most embarrassing moment: I’ve had too many embarrassing moments for one to stand out. They happen to me at an hourly rate.
Describe yourself in three words: Determined. Hard-working. Fun-loving.
Podiums
1st – Slalom – Vail, USA (Feb. 2012)
3rd – Giant slalom – Vail, USA (Feb. 2012)
3rd – Super-G – Panorama, B.C. (Dec. 2011)
2nd – Super combined – Nakiska, Alta. (Dec. 2011)
2nd – Super-G – Nakiska, Alta. (Dec. 2011)
3rd – Super-G – Whister, B.C. (March 2011)
3rd – Giant slalom – Whistler, B.C. (March 2011)
2nd – Giant slalom – Whistler, B.C. (March 2011)
2nd – Slalom – Whistler, B.C. (March 2011)
