“Jungle” Jim Hunter
Alpine Skiing Athlete - Inducted 1987
"Jungle" Jim Hunter's love of skiing and his aggressive approach to the competition, created an exclusive group of Canadians -- the world-renowned "Crazy Canucks". During his years as an international competitor, he won five national combined, seven giant slalom, three slalom, and two downhill championships. In the World Cup competition at Val D'Isere, France, he placed fourth in his first giant slalom race. Before he retired from World Cup competitions, he had placed in the top 15 in 14 downhill and six giant slaloms, and in the top ten in all five combined events, he entered. "Jungle" Jim Hunter raced to a bronze medal finish in the combined at the 1972 Olympic Games and placed sixth in the same event in the 1976 Olympics.
After Induction
Since his induction, Jim was inducted into the Canadian Ski Hall of Fame in 1987 and the Saskatchewan Sports Hall of Fame in 2006. He successfully managed the 1988 Olympic Torch Relay and has been a mentor to athletes – training them in sport and in public speaking. In 1989, Jim became a public speaker and has reached out inspire and tell his story in more than 3000 presentations to business groups, school students and conference groups. He has also published a book, directed two films and from 1978 to 1992 was involved with sports casting for CTV. In 2009, and for the next several years, he hosted a Saturday morning radio show on FAN960.
After suffering a heart attack in 2012, Jim became an advocate for heart health, helping raise funds for the Heart and Stroke Foundation. In Celebration of Canada’s 150th birthday celebrations, The Toronto Star featured the ‘Crazy Canucks’ (Jim Hunter, Ken Read, Steve Podborski and Dave Irwin), in its series ‘150 quintessential Canadian Sporting characters and moments’ (June 27, 2017) in the segment ‘Capturing a country through sport: The winter stars. Jim is president and CEO of Sports Managements Systems, in Calgary.
Awards and Honours
1977 – John Semmelink Award – Canadian Ski Association (“as a skier who, through sportsmanship, conduct, and ability best represents Canada in international competition).
1978 – United States Alpine Skiing Hall of Fame
1987 – Alberta Sports Hall of Fame
1987 – Canadian Ski Hall of Fame
2006 – Saskatchewan Sports Hall of Fame
