This award is presented annually by the Canadian Winter Sports Association to the Canadian winter sports athlete who best represents the country on the international stage through integrity, conduct and ability.

The 2022–2023 winter competition season was historic for Canadian winter sports, with outstanding results in six different disciplines.

On February 18, St-Germain won the gold medal in women’s slalom at the FIS Alpine Skiing World Championships in Méribel, France. This made the athlete from Saint-Ferréol-les-Neiges the first Canadian in more than 60 years to win a slalom at a world championship.

Eleven days later, Jan^um In March, Loutitt became the first Canadian to step onto the podium at the FIS Nordic World Ski Championships by winning gold at the large hill event in Planica, Slovenia.

According to Ken Read, Chairman of the Canadian Winter Sports Association awards committee, the two Canadians represent this award very well.

“Her resilience, work ethic, tenacity and dedication on the field are second to none. But equally impressive is that they are determined to lead by example, support their teammates and share their expertise with others,” Read said in a press release issued on Wednesday.

The two athletes made no secret of their joy at such a reward.

“It touches me deeply to be recognized not only as a skier, but also for qualities like my integrity and conduct, values ​​that my parents instilled in our family,” St-Germain said in the official statement.

“I am very proud to be recognized not only for my results, but also for my great passion and the recognition of my true character,” said Loutitt, a 19-year-old athlete.

The John Semmelink Memorial Award is considered the most prestigious award in Canadian winter sports.

Named after John Semmelink, who died in an accident while training for a competition in Garmisch, Germany, the award was first presented to alpine skier Anne Heggtveit in 1962.