Updated – We all know it takes real passion to invest years into chasing a dream. Fortunately, alpine ski racing is fun and has a tremendous family to support and guide athletes.

There are times, however, where one must dig very deep. to keep that passion alive. To overcome adversity and solider on .

Morgan Megarry is one of those athletes. A remarkably talented young man who devoted five years as a member of the Canadian Alpine Ski Team, achieving the level of representing our country three times at the FIS Alpine Junior World Ski Championships (2012, 2013 & 2014) with his top result a very respectable 17th place in giant slalom. He also represented Canada in FIS Alpine World Cup competition.

Morgan had to manage injuries for most of his time on the Ski Team. Six bouts of dealing with knee injuries and complications. Some of these, a result from spectacular falls, the most recent coming in December, 2018 in the World Cup GS at Alta Badia, Italy.

Canada’s World Cup Technical Ski Team training in Zermatt, Switzerland the summer 2017 (L-R: Erik Read, Simon Fournier, Morgan Megarry, Trevor Philp)

He worked through these setbacks with determination, courage and the right attitude. He worked very hard. His sense of humor kept is spirits up.

Fortunately, throughout his ski racing, Morgan kept in touch with his academic side. He attended the University of Vermont, representing the Catamounts when healthy and cheering on his teammates when he couldn’t compete. He blended his program with the Canadian Alpine Ski Team and NCAA skiing, to graduate in 2018.

I first heard of Morgan as a K2 (under 15 age group in the old FIS system). The Alpine Canada Chair, Reid Drury, alerted us to a young Canadian who had won the qualifier for Whistler Cup in the Eastern Region of US Skiing. The Megarry family skied out of Ellicottville, NY.

In races below the FIS level, nationality is not a consideration – until you race in a FIS sanctioned Children’s race. Morgan could not represent the US because he was a Canadian. So the question was put, could we include this youngster in the Canadian Team?

The Canadian Team has already been selected from the K2 Nationals, so our Director of Domestic Development, Mark Sharp, went to the organizers of the Whistler Cup to see if they would be flexible and allow an extra quota spot – to run after the National Teams. They were more than pleased to assist. So Morgan was added on the basis he had earned inclusion through performance.

Courtesy Morgan’s Instagram

Morgan subsequently joined the Craigleith Ski Club and competed for the Ontario Ski Team. His results earned him a spot on the Canadian Development Team. He went on to podium in many Nor-Am races and for the Catamounts in NCAA competition.

Morgan described his tenacious nature in Escarpment Magazine “I pride myself on being the under dog.My arrival at this level is a result of determination and hard work. Years of tireless competition and the relentless pursuit of excellence have brought me to where I am today. I am proud of my journey, and am confident that I have the necessary qualities to continue on this path towards success on the sports greatest stage.”

He had 7 World Cup starts and was narrowly nosed out of a Canadian giant slalom title by teammate Trevor Philp in 2018.

On June 16th of this year, Morgan announced to his teammates it was time to move on. The injuries had taken their toll. His Instagram post was still upbeat: “It’s been a long, bumpy road, but man, I wouldn’t have changed it for the world. Thanks to everyone who was part of this kids’ dream. Now, on to the next one!”

Thanks Morgan. You earned our respect, our admiration for your tenacious attitude and work ethic and the support of your teammates.

We can’t wait to see what you’re going to achieve in your next chapter!