Ryan Davenport
(Skeleton)

Ryan was the undisputed long-term Canadian Men's Skeleton Champion, winning 7 Gold medals until his retirement in 1998-99. He also won two World Championships in 1996-97. In retirement Ryan has established himself as a manufacturer of highly-specialised Skeleton sleds. Ryan is a descendant of Estonian pioneer Gust Mottus. Ryan began his career in skeleton in 1992 when he noticed a newspaper article on the sport. He immediately fell in love with the sport and began training. During the 1990s he won seven gold medals at the Canadian Skeleton Championships until his retirement in 1999. He also garnered two gold medals (1996 and 1997) and a bronze medal (1995) at the World Skeleton Championships. Unfortunately, skeleton was not yet recognized as an Olympic sport.

Since retiring from competition Ryan has dedicated his efforts to designing and manufacturing skeleton sleds. Like his cousin Melissa Hollingsworth-Richards, Ryan is a descendant of Gustav Mottus.

Alberta's Estonian Heritage