2025_26 MACKENZIE INVESTMENTS
OCUP SEASON OPENERS
Racing in Honour of Nik Zoricic & Celebrating Phil Brown
The 2025/26 Mackenzie Investments OCUP Series launched in style with three exciting slalom races over the holiday week, drawing top talent from across North America despite a flurry of mixed weather that came through. The first two races, part of the NZ Cup, were held on December 28 and 29 at Mount St-Louis Moonstone, followed by the inaugural Phil Brown Cup on December 30 at Craigleith Ski Club.
These competitions honored two of Canada’s celebrated ski racers: Nik Zoricic and Phil Brown. Their legacy was felt throughout the event, with heartfelt stories shared by Bebe Zoricic and Nigel Cooper, and words of encouragement from Phil Brown himself, inspiring the next generation of racers.
A huge thank you goes out to the organizing teams at Glacier Ski Club and Craigleith, along with their dedicated volunteers, for delivering world-class races under tough conditions.
The series attracted a strong field, including top NCAA and Canadian university racers, as well as teams from Quebec and the USA. The men’s competition saw Mackenzie Wood, a former Vermont Catamount, dominate the first two races with back-to-back victories. On the final day, Ontario Ski Team (OST) racer Jasper Williams claimed gold at Craigleith.
On the women’s side, Lily Sewell of Montana State (and OST alum) opened the series with a win on Day 1. Rising star Alexandra Houle impressed the field by taking the top spot on Day 2, while Gabby Wall, a Calgary Dino and OST graduate, captured victory in the Phil Brown Cup.
With such strong performances and inspiring moments, the OCUP Series has set the tone for an exciting season ahead. Congratulations to all athletes, and thank you to everyone who made these events possible!