Brad Spence races slalom in Kranjska Gora, Slovenia.
Brad Spence celebrates his strong finish in Kitzbühel, Austria.
Brad Spence finished 17th in the Bansko World Cup slalom.
Brad Spence during the World Cup slalom in Bansko, Bulgaria.
Brad Spence at the World Cup slalom race in Bansko, Bulgaria.
Brad Spence races giant slalom in Bansko, Bulgaria.
Brad Spence finishes 17th in Tuesday's night slalom in Schladming. (Gio Auletta/Pentaphoto)
Brad Spence with his Wengen sponsor - eight-year-old Gage Ferguson.
Brad Spence races in the Kitzbühel, Austria, slalom.
Brad Spence races in the Adelboden, Switzerland men's slalom.
Brad Spence
Brad Spence in action in Flachau, Austria, slalom.
Brad Spence in Monday's World Cup slalom in Alta Badia, Italy.
Brad Spence
Brad Spence placed 14th in the Kitzbühel slalom.
Brad Spence
Brad Spence (left) & Jan Huec (middle)
Brad Spence
Brad Spence
Brad Spence (left on podium)
Brad Spence
Brad Spence
Brad Spence (left) & Jan Huec (middle)

Brad Spence

Alpine

Spence’s story is one of great perseverance, having fought back from a career-threatening injury suffered in a crash just before the 2006 Olympics. The Calgary, Alta., native, a graduate of the city's National Sports School, enjoyed early success as a speed skier before becoming a slalom specialist. In 2012, Spence made headlines throughout Europe and North America when he helped make an eight-year-old fan’s dream of becoming his headgear sponsor come true at a World Cup race in Wengen, Switzerland. Spence grew up on a ranch near Calgary and is proud of his Western roots. When he's not ski racing, he enjoys boating, fishing and horseback riding.

 
     
    Home / Athletes / Brad Spence

    Top Results

    Canadian champion - Giant slalom (2010)
    12th – Slalom – FIS World Cup – Kitzbuhel, Austria (2010)
    4th – Super-G – FIS Junior World Ski Championships (2004)

    World Rankings

    (2011-12)
    Overall: 71st
    Slalom: 28th

    Birth date: 19/04/1984
    Birth place:
    Calgary, Alta.
    Residence:
    Calgary, Alta.
    Hometown:
    Calgary, Alta.
    Ski club: NATC / Panorama Ski Club
    Made team: 2001
    Sponsor: EllisDon, Kidco, McElhanney, Crescent Point Energy Corp.
    Height: 6-0
    Weight: 205 pounds
    Skis: Rossignol
    Boots: Rossignol
    Poles: Leki
    Helmet: Uvex
    Goggles: Uvex
    Q&A brad-spence.ca

    Nicknames: Brad or Spence.
     
    Best moment in ski racing: Finishing in 12th at Kitzbühel, Austria, in 2010. Not only was it my first time racing in Kitzbuhel in front of the massive crowd, it was also the second result I needed to qualify for the 2010 Olympic Games.
     
    Worst moment in ski racing: Crashing in the downhill in Bormio, Italy, in 2005, when I broke my leg.
     
    One thing you would change about ski racing? I would love to figure out how to make ski racing a popular spectator sport in North America.
     
    Best World Cup stop: Wengen, Switzerland. The race hill is one of my favourites and it is also has one of the best atmospheres on the circuit.
     
    Person you look up to most in ski racing: Thomas Grandi. He was always my idol growing up, not only because of his results on the ski hill, but also because of his approach and attitude towards skiing.
     
    On your iPod: Wintersleep, Kings of Leon, The xx, Phoenix, Smalltown DJs, Hey Rosetta!
     
    Favourite movie: Inception. I can watch it over and over and still not know what happened.
     
    Hockey team: Calgary Flames. Born and raised in Calgary, it would be a sin to cheer for anyone else.
     
    If you could have dinner with anyone, living or dead, who would it be? Vespasian, to understand how the Colosseum in Rome was built with the knowledge of the time.
     
    Favourite activities other than skiing: Hockey, boating, fishing and horseback riding.
     
    Superstitions: If I train well the day before a race, I use the same long underwear and ski socks for the race.
     
    What’s a talent you wish you had? To be able to speak languages other than English.
     
    If you weren’t a skier what would you be? I've always loved architecture, so maybe I would have been an architect.
     
    Funniest thing you’ve seen in ski racing: The police escort we had from the aiport in Sofia, Bulgaria, on our way to the race in Bansko.
     
    Most embarrassing moment: When asked by a five-year-old what it's like to ski as fast as I do, I replied, "Next time your mommy or daddy is driving down the highway, roll down the window and stick your head out. That will give you a good sense of how fast it feels"... Totally should have thought that one through before I opened my mouth!
     
    Describe yourself in three words: Witty, dedicated, competitive.

    WORLD CUPOLYMPICNATIONALOTHER

    Finishes in the top 20
    17th – Slalom – Bansko, BUL (Feb. 2012)
    17th – Slalom – Schladming, AUT (Jan. 2012)
    14th – Slalom – Kitzbuehel, AUT (Jan. 2012)
    17th – Slalom – Adelboden, SUI (Jan. 2012)
    15th – Slalom – Beaver Creek, USA (Dec. 2011)
    14th – Slalom – Kitzbuehel, AUT (Jan. 2011)
    13th – Slalom – Wengen, SUI (Jan. 2011)
    17th – Slalom – Adelboden, SUI (Jan. 2011)
    16th – Slalom – Levi, FIN (Nov. 2010)
    18th – Slalom – Garmisch-Partenkirchen, GER (March 2010)
    12th – Slalom – Kitzbuehel, AUT (Jan. 2010)
    19th – Slalom – Wengen, SUI (Jan. 2010)
    12th – Slalom – Alta Badia, ITA (Dec. 2009)
    13th – Slalom – Kranjska Gora, SLO (March 2009)

    2010 Olympic Winter Games – Vancouver, B.C.
    42nd – Giant slalom

    Canadian Championships
    Canadian champion – Giant slalom – Nakiska, Alta. (March 2010)

    FIS World Ski Championships
    38th – Slalom – Garmisch-Partenkirchen, GER (Feb. 2011)

    Nor-Am Cup
    Slalom men’s champion (2009)
    Giant slalom men’s champion (2009)

    @bradcspence on twitter