Alongside his brother Bill, Bert Irwin rose to prominence in the Canadian amateur skiing scene during the 1940s, but took a break during World War II to serve as a navigator in the Royal Canadian Air Force, earning a Distinguished Flying Cross for his bravery. This bravery was evident on the ski hill as well, for he was known as particularly bold competitor. At the Canadian Olympic trials he qualified for all three alpine skiing events at the 1948 Winter Olympics, downhill, slalom, and combined, but his best finish was 37th in the slalom. After his brother moved to Thunder Bay, Ontario, Bert remained in British Columbia and continued skiing even into the 1970s. His nephew Dave, Bill’s son, inherited some of his uncle’s boldness. An Olympic skier himself in 1976 and 1980, Dave was a member of the Crazy Canucks, a group of Canadians who, during the 1970s and 1980s, gained reputations as fast and reckless skiers.
Canada