Born: 1943 (Ottawa, Ontario, Canada)
Biography:
Nancy Catherine Greene Raine OC OBC OD (born May 11, 1943) is a Canadian former Senator for British Columbia and an Olympic alpine skier voted as Canada’s Female Athlete of the 20th Century. She was born in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.
Greene Raine’s journey in skiing began at a young age. Her family moved to Rossland, British Columbia when she was just three years old. Rossland, known for its mountainous terrain, was also the site of the first ski competition ever held in Canada in 1897. Surrounded by this skiing culture, Greene quickly became enamored with the sport and began honing her skills. Even throughout her high school years, she remained committed to skiing and competed in the Canadian Junior Championships.
As her talent grew, Greene’s determination and aggressive style of skiing earned her the nickname Tiger. Her skating prowess was undeniable, and she emerged as one of the most dominant skiers of her time. Between 1964 and 1968, she secured an impressive 14 World Cup victories, establishing herself as a force to be reckoned with in the alpine skiing world.
In 1967, Greene made history by breaking the European stronghold on the sport. She claimed victory in the inaugural World Cup, further cementing her legacy in the skiing community. Greene’s exceptional performance that year included winning seven of the 16 events, leading her to capture the overall title. She triumphed with four giant slalom victories, two slalom wins, and one downhill victory. Her outstanding accomplishments earned her the esteemed title of Canadian Athlete of the Year.
The pinnacle of Greene’s skiing career arrived in 1968. Competing in the Winter Olympic Games in Grenoble, France, she showcased her extraordinary talent by securing a gold medal in the giant slalom. Notably, her victory came with one of the largest margins in Olympic history, highlighting her unparalleled dominance in the sport. In addition to her gold medal, she also claimed a silver medal in the slalom discipline, elevating her status as one of Canada’s most accomplished athletes. Greene’s achievements in the Winter Olympics earned her the title of Canada’s Athlete of the Year for the second time.
Following her retirement from competitive skiing, Greene Raine continued to make significant contributions to Canadian sport. She accepted an appointment to the federal government’s Task Force on Sport For Canadians, allowing her to share her expertise and advocate for the advancement of sports in the country. Additionally, Greene took on promotional endeavors for various companies, including Rossignol, Pontiac, and Mars Inc. Notably, her association with Mars Inc. earned her some unwarranted controversy when she was depicted discarding the wrapper onto a ski slope in a television commercial during the burgeoning environmental movement of that era.
Beyond her athletic accomplishments, Greene Raine has also made a lasting impact on the skiing industry. In collaboration with her husband Al Raine, she played a pivotal role in the development of the Whistler-Blackcomb Resort in Whistler, British Columbia. Later, the couple went on to contribute to the growth and promotion of skiing at Sun Peaks Resort, located just north of Kamloops, British Columbia.
In recognition of her exceptional achievements, Nancy Greene Raine has received numerous accolades. However, her most significant honor is being voted as Canada’s Female Athlete of the 20th Century. This remarkable distinction highlights her lasting influence and enduring legacy in Canadian sports history.
Awards:
– Voted as Canada’s Female Athlete of the 20th Century.