Elli Terwiel, slalom, Aspen, World Cup
Elli Terwiel during the Levi World Cup slalom.
Elli Terwiel during the Levi World Cup slalom.
Elli Terwiel at the World Cup slalom in Aspen.
Elli Terwiel at the World Cup slalom in Zagreb.
Elli Terwiel in action at nationals.
Elli Terwiel
Elli Terwiel at the World Cup slalom in Zagreb.
Elli Terwiel finishes 17th in slalom in Maribor, Slovenia.
Elli Terwiel skis to a 28th-place finish in ladies' slalom in Schladming, Austria, at the 2013 FIS Alpine World Ski Championships.

Elli Terwiel

Alpine

A slalom specialist from Sun Peaks, B.C., Terwiel had three top-30 finishes on the World Cup circuit during a breakout 2012-13 season. A full-time civil engineering student at the University of Vermont, Terwiel’s ski team won the USA’s NCAA (National Collegiate Athletic Association) title in 2012. Athletic excellence seems to run in the family; Terwiel's grandfather, John Gossage, was a member of the Canadian swim team and her brother Justin is a professional downhill mountain biker.

 
     
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    Top Results

    17th - Slalom - FIS World Cup - Flachau, AUT (2013)
    1st - Slalom - Nor-Am Cup - Panorama, B.C. (2010)
    1st - Slalom - Nor-Am Cup - Panorama, B.C. (2009)

    World Cup rankings

    (2012-13)
    Overall: 81st
    Slalom: 36th

    Birth date: 16/04/1989
    Birth place:
    New Westminster, B.C.
    Residence:
    Burlington, Vt.
    Hometown:
    Sun Peaks, B.C.
    Ski club: Sun Peaks Alpine Club
    Made team: 2012
    Height: 5-7
    Weight: 155 pounds
    Skis: Fischer
    Boots: Fischer
    Poles: Leki
    Helmet: POC
    Goggles: POC
    Q&A elliterwiel.blogspot.com

    Nickname: Elle

    Best moment in ski racing:  Coming 23rd in the Courchevel (France) World Cup this (2011-12) season.

    Worst moment in ski racing: When I tore my ACL (anterior cruciate ligament), meniscus and received a terrible bone bruise in 2008 . . . missed the whole season and was on crutches for three months.  Awful.

    What one thing would you change about ski racing? The politics.

    Best World Cup stop:  Soldeu, Andorra, or Courchevel, France

    Person you look up to most in ski racing: Didier Cuche

    On your iPod: Everything.  My favourite bands are Pink Floyd and Led Zeppelin . . . strongly influenced by my dad!

    Favourite movie: The Princess Bride

    Hockey team (and why): Vancouver Canucks.  B.C. team.  But I only watch the playoffs.

    Goals for 2012-13 season: Consistently come in the top 30 in slalom World Cups.  I had so many close results this year!

    If you could have dinner with anyone, living or dead, who would it be? My granny and grandpa.

    Something no-one knows about you: I knit, make jewelry, sketch and try to complete Rubik’s Cubes in my spare time on the road.

    Favourite activities other than skiing: Tennis, running, riding my horse and travelling!

    Superstitions: Always wear lucky underwear on race days.

    If a movie was made about your life, who should play the lead role?  Obviously a Meryl Streep role.

    What’s a talent you wish you had? Singing or being able to play an instrument.

    If you weren’t a skier what would you be? Well, when I’m not skiing I’m attending the University of Vermont as a civil-engineering major, so I am on the way to being a civil engineer ( I plan on taking my masters of architecture as well).

    Funniest thing you’ve seen in ski racing: Coaches taking up the challenge of skiing our courses on their coaching skis and boots.  Makes for a good laugh every time!

    Most embarrassing moment: While on a trip to Argentina with the Canadian development team (back in the day), we went to a very fancy dinner with the heads of a mining company who paid for our trip down south. Beautiful meal. I decided it was a good time to try caviar for the first time. I had the immediate need to gag as soon as it was in my mouth and with my eyes watering and the bathroom occupied I had to run outside to get rid of the awful stuff just as the heads of the company were walking in. The whole team got a kick out of that one.

    Describe yourself in three words: Dedicated, stubborn and goofy

    WORLD CUPNATIONALOTHER

    Finishes in the top 30
    17th - Slalom - Maribor, SLO (Jan. 2013)
    17th - Slalom - Flachau, AUT (Jan. 2013)
    23rd - Slalom - Semmering, AUT (Dec. 2012)
    23rd - Slalom - Courchevel, FRA (Dec. 2011)

    Canadian championship podiums
    3rd - Slalom - Whistler, B.C. (2013) 

    FIS Alpine World Ski Championships
    28th - Slalom - Schladming, AUT (Feb. 2013)  

    Nor-am Cup podiums
    1st - Slalom - Sugar Bowl, USA (March 2013)
    3rd - Slalom - Panorama, B.C. (Dec. 2012)
    2nd - Slalom - Vail, USA (Feb. 2012)
    3rd - Slalom - Vail, USA (Feb. 2012)
    2nd - Slalom - Whistler, B.C. (March 2011)
    3rd - Slalom - Sunday River, USA (Jan. 2011)        
    3rd - Giant slalom - Sunday River, USA (Jan. 2011)
    1st - Slalom - Panorama, B.C. (Dec. 2010)           
    1st - Slalom - Panorama, B.C. (Dec. 2009)