NEWS RELEASE
BEAVER VALLEY OUTREACH
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Duncan Armstrong, a 16-year-old competitive skier with the Georgian Peaks Club, won the under-18 and placed second in the under-19 giant slalom races at the Canadian National Alpine Ski Championships held in The Blue Mountains March 15 to 18.
The event drew an estimated 220 athletes from across Canada and internationally.
According to Duncan’s grandfather, Peter Armstrong, the win came exactly 40 years after Duncan’s father, John, captured the giant slalom title in British Columbia.
“We’re all extremely proud of Duncan’s achievement. He has excelled in the sport over the years through guts and determination,” said Armstrong.
Duncan, who specializes in slalom and giant slalom, is balancing his ski training (currently in a ski academy in Vermont) with school, and racing in regional, provincial and national events. In the near future, he’s hoping to compete in some NorAm and FIS races and ski for a Division 1 university (with a large athletic budget) such as Dartmouth and Cornell.
His ski racing accomplishments aside, Duncan has proven himself to be a different kind of champion in The Blue Mountains community. During the pandemic, he and his Georgian Peaks ski racing teammates stepped up to support Beaver Valley Outreach (BVO), a local charity with programs and services for children, families, seniors and individuals. They organized two events – BVO Challenge 2020 and a ski equipment sale in 2021 – to raise over $30,000 for BVO’s popular Treasure Shop thrift store.
“I hope to continue supporting BVO, and I’m always thinking of ideas to do so,” said Duncan. “Instead of just asking for money, my teammates and I like to be creative and organize events that generate some excitement and benefit.”
BVO chair Cathy Innes is grateful for Duncan’s support.
“When I think of the phrase ‘friends of BVO,’ Duncan immediately comes to mind,” she said. “The events he organized were highly successful. BVO owes a great deal to the community spirit and commitment of Duncan, his teammates and his family.”
For more information about BVO, please visit www.bvo.ca or call 519-599-2577.
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