Three-time Sochi 2014 medallist Mac Marcoux, 17, heads the team, with the recently-crowned IPC World Cup overall champion aiming to add a visually impaired world title to his growing list of achievements

"Just being at home in such a prestigious event brings up the drive just a little bit more to ski a little bit harder," said Marcoux, who will be guided at the Championships by his older brother BJ.

"It's going to be really cool.

"We don't really have an opportunity to compete often in Canada.

"I'm really excited to have a race on home snow.

"It brings a good feel."

Kurt Oataway is one of Canada's medal prospects in the downhill sitting ©Getty Images





The World Championships, scheduled to take place in North America for the first-time ever from Wednesday (March 4) to March 10, have attracted more than 100 athletes from 23 countries.

Athletes will compete in downhill, Super-G, giant slalom, slalom and super combined, and Jean-Sebastien Labrie, head coach of the Canadian team, believes five podiums is a realistic target, with Marcoux likely to challenge in all the disciplines.

"He's our main potential medallist," said Labrie.

"Compared to last year, he's got one more year of experience under his belt.

"He's learning a lot every race.

"He used to struggle with slalom.

"Now he has had a very good season of slalom.

"He's a favourite for every event we go into."

Completing the men's line-up is Alex Cairns, alternate guide Robin Femy, downhill sitting medal hopeful Kurt Oatway, Kirk Schornstein, Jeff Thompson, and slalom standing duo Matt Hallat and Braydon Luscombe, both of whom Labrie has high hopes for.

"They know the hill," said Labrie.

"It's a very competitive field in the men's slalom races.

"It's difficult to get in the top five.

"I think these guys have a shot at it."

Two time world champion Kimberly Joines will begin the women's sitting as favourite
©Getty Images





Erin Latimer, Alana Ramsay and Kimberly Joines, a two-time world champion sit-skier who is favourite in the slalom, make up the trio of women included in the team.

"The track we are racing in slalom is probably the most difficult slope our circuit has ever raced on," said Joines.

"It's definitely a challenge.

"We are more familiar with the slope and have spent more time on it.

"Hopefully that gives us a little bit of an advantage and the confidence going into it.

"It's one of those pitches that sometimes looks a little more intimidating than it actually is."

The Canadian team will feel at home even more so given that Panorama is where the squad often holds training camps.

"We are familiar with Panorama, we are used to the environment," added Labrie.

"We've trained many days on the hill we will race.

"For sure it's an advantage.

"It gives us more confidence.

"We have trained, we know the hill, and we know the terrain."

The 2015 IPC Alpine Skiing World Championships will be streamed live on the event website here, while live results will also be available.

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