CALGARY- For nearly as long as he’s been walking, Banff’s Paul Stutz has been hitting the slopes.
“It’s been my entire life, not only has it taught me all the life lessons along the way, but it’s been a passion of mine to be the best in the world,” he says.
Stutz began skiing at just 18 months old, and has been competing ever since. Last year he won the NORAM Cup slalom title, securing a spot on the world cup circuit. The 30-year-old slalom racer now has his sights set on the Sochi Olympics
“I have been skiing all year every year with that goal in mind, so of course there’s been a lot of success and ups and downs, but we want success at the top level.”
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Problem is, he doesn’t have financial backing from organizations like Alpine Canada, since he left the national team four years ago.
“A few years ago I had a bad season with a bad injury and didn’t meet Alpine Canada criteria,” Stutz explains.
However, Alpine Canada maintains that all that matters in the end is where you finish in the race.
“He didn’t quite make the national criteria but he is still very much part of the team,” says Keith Bradford from Alpine Canada. “One of the big things about ski racing is you need determination and experience.”
Stutz needs two top 12 world cup finishes to secure a spot on Canada’s Olympic team. He is also fundraising, in hopes he can raise enough to get to the Games, should he secure one of the four Canadian spots up for grabs.
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