Alpine Canada apologizes to victims of former national ski coach Bertand Charest

The chair of the board of Alpine Canada has apologized to the victims of a former national ski coach convicted of sexual assault.

Martha Hall Findlay says the organization failed to support Bertrand Charest’s teenage victims when its leaders learned about his behaviour in 1998.

READ MORE: Ex-ski coach Bertrand Charest sentenced to 12 years for sex-related crimes

Charest was sentenced on Friday to 12 years in prison for sexually assaulting teenage girls he trained.

The offences took place both before and during Charest’s stint with Alpine Canada’s women’s development team between 1996 and 1998.

READ MORE:Ex-ski coach Bertrand Charest found guilty of 37 charges in sex trial

The judge ripped into Alpine Canada in his ruling, saying the organization’s leaders closed their eyes to Charest’s actions and failed miserably in their duty to protect the young athletes.

Findlay acknowledged in a statement that the organization put its own interests ahead of those of the victims at the time and thanked the women for coming forward.