2025 Dee Read Memorial Scholarship To Provide Support to World Junior Prospects Kendra Giesbrecht and Aidan Kometz

Canmore, Alberta – Alberta Alpine is pleased to announce support for two Alberta athletes aiming to contend at the 2026 FIS Alpine Junior World Ski Championships.

2025 Dee Read Memorial Scholarship. Will provide supplemental financial support to Kendra Giesbrecht, a 2nd year member of the Canadian Alpine Development Team and Aidan Kometz, a third year member of the Alberta Ski Team who is aiming to rebound from a knee injury with strong results in downhill and superG.

The 19-year old Giesbrecht, hails from St. Albert and raced with Snow Valley in her early years and is now with the Banff Alpine Racers She hopes to build on two years of World Junior experience. In 2024 she was part of the Mixed Team Event that was narrowly edged out of a bronze medal, finishing 4th. This past season she captured the Canadian Championship title in giant slalom. The 2026 World Juniors are set to be held north of the Arctic Circle in Narvik, Norway, will be her third visit to the most prestigious junior event in the world.

Kendra has a deep commitment to her sport. “I believe that greatness in any field comes from consistency and discipline. My commitment to ski racing extends year-round, on and off the hill, and I understand the sacrifices required to compete at this level. As I look ahead to the 2025–2026 season, I hope to continue improving and to earn my place once again on the CAST-D team, as I pursue my dream of racing on the World Cup circuit.”

After showing great promise through two years with the Alberta Ski Team, Aidan Kometz, a 19-year old based from Calgary with NATC Ski Club, had the misfortune of an ACL tear in Saas-Fee which forced him to sit out the 2025 season. But he did not let this setback deter him from high goals and focusing on a return to the highest levels of ski racing.

“The accomplishment I am most proud of is these past 6 months of rehabilitation from ACL reconstruction. I am proud of not only my physical success, but my personal growth’ said Komtez. “I have never been this strong before. I consistently showed up and put meaningful effort in to my workouts. I started taking my hydration seriously. I got a proper fitness tracker to hold me accountable for sleep and my cardiovascular health. All for the single goal of furthering my ski career.” While dedicating himself to a return to the highest levels, he also maintained a 97% average while completing his high school.

Komtez aims to build on his U19 Canadian Championship downhill title, captured in 2024. “While it wasn’t my cleanest race, it was a race where I fought hard to finish with the goal of winning that title” said Komtez. “It was what felt like the first true taste and step toward the Canadian National Team.”

“To succeed at the World Juniors takes a lot of  hard work and dedicated effort,” said Alberta Alpine President, Patrick Gillespie. “Kendra and Aidan have demonstrated they have the work ethic and determination to succeed and to represent Canada in the biggest stage for juniors in the world. We believe these athletes will represent us proudly next March in Norway.”

“Both Kendra and Aidan represent the epitome of what all our young athletes aspire to be,” said Josh Benge, Athletic Director of Alberta Alpine. “They are strong competitors, incredibly hard workers, and fantastic human beings.”

Since 1988, promising young Alberta alpine ski racers have been named as recipients of the Dee Read Memorial Scholarship, awarded annually by the Read Family, providing financial support and to recognize athletes who one day hope to represent Canada in World Cup, World Championship or Olympic competition.

About Dee Read

Canadian Champion in the downhill and combined at Norquay in 1948, coach, official, volunteer and parent, Dee Read broke barriers as a leader in sport. She was one of the first female FIS Technical Delegates world-wide, the first woman Chair of Alberta Alpine and Board Member of Alpine Canada. Her dedication reached far beyond her family to influence athletes, parents, coaches and sport administrators right across Canada, sharing her knowledge, generosity and warm spirit in lending a firm but insightful hand as a sport leader. In recognition for her contributions to snowsports in Canada, Dee was named to Canada’s Ski Hall of Fame in in 2001.