Six Alberta Athletes Selected for U16 Europe Project in Abetone, Italy
The Alberta Alpine Ski Association (AASA) is proud to announce the six athletes selected to represent the province on the U16 Europe Project in Abetone, Italy. This exciting initiative recognizes the commitment, performance, and potential of Alberta’s top U16 athletes, providing them with a unique opportunity to compete and train on the international stage.
Team – U16 AASA Europe Project
Women
Ellie Hyndman
Ainsley Langley Taylor
Madeline Wickins
Men
Henry Petersen
Charles Blouin
Holt Mackenzie
*Conrad MacPherson* was originally selected but ultimately was unable to attend due to Sickness
The team will be led by experienced coaches Erin Fynn and Johnny Bennett, who will support the athletes throughout this high-performance development experience.
The group departed Calgary on March 23, arriving in Milan, Italy, before traveling to Abetone for a focused block of training and competition. The itinerary includes dedicated training days, followed by the Abetone FIS Children’s Races on March 27 and 28. The trip also allows time for continued training and cultural experiences before returning to Calgary. Please help us cheer them on for their competitions.
The U16 Alberta Europe Project is designed to expose Alberta’s top developing athletes to elevated international competition, accelerating their growth both on and off the hill. Competing in Europe places these athletes in the heart of the global alpine skiing landscape, where they will face deeper fields, varied terrain, and diverse race formats. These challenges are instrumental in advancing technical and tactical skills while building the adaptability and resilience required for success in high-performance sport.
Beyond competition, the experience offers significant personal development. Navigating new environments, cultures, and expectations fosters independence, confidence, and professionalism. Training and racing alongside international peers also allows athletes to benchmark themselves against some of the best in their age group, providing valuable insight into the standards required for future success.
For AASA, initiatives like the Europe Project play a critical role in long-term athlete development. By investing in early exposure to high-level competition, Alberta Alpine is strengthening the pathway toward FIS-level racing and beyond. Just as importantly, the program continues to cultivate a culture of excellence, ambition, and global perspective, key ingredients in developing not only successful ski racers, but well-rounded individuals.
AASA congratulates all six athletes on this outstanding achievement and looks forward to following their progress as they represent Alberta with pride on the international stage.