The Dale Swanson Distinguished Athlete Award is given annually to honour athletes who exemplify a strong work ethic and uphold personal values like perseverance and integrity. Athletes representing the Academy do so through their skiing, but also through leadership, mentorship, volunteerism, and community service, both on and off the snow.
In 2026, four athletes from the Alberta World Cup Academy—Louison Dubief, Raleigh Tarte, Ben Field, and Amelia Wells—each received a $2000 award.

​

Ben Field:
“I am deeply honoured to be recognized as an athlete who embodies the values upheld by the Dale Swanson Award. Leadership and mentorship, along with the other principles this award represents, are among the most meaningful aspects of skiing to me.

As a recipient of Dale’s generous support, I will be better able to dedicate my time and energy to developing both as a teammate and as an individual, rather than clocking extra hours at work.

Being part of this team has not only made me a much faster skier, but has also allowed me to cultivate the personal qualities I am most proud of. Moving forward, I am excited to continue to contribute to the positive environment of growth and support that defines the Academy.”

In addition, Alison Mackie and Xavier McKeever were honoured for their standout performances during the 2025–26 cross-country ski season.
Alison captured the overall U23 World Cup title and claimed gold in the women’s mass start at the U23 World Championships, while Xavier earned bronze in the men’s mass start at the World Junior Championships
(Louison Dubief and Amelia Wells were not able to attend the Award Ceremony)

If you would like to support the Dale Swanson Distinguished Athlete award, please go to Club Donations and choose ‘Alberta World Cup Society – Dale Swanson Fund’. Contributions of $25 and more are eligible for a tax refund.