A virtual unknown up until a few seasons ago, Wert, yet another promising young skier to come out of the Red Mountain Racing team in Rossland, the town made famous of course by the legendary Nancy Greene, fired on to the world scene by winning the gold downhill medal at the 1994 world junior championships in Lake Placid, N.Y.
  His climb in the World Cup circuit rankings has been dramatic at times, although a chronic shin splint problem has contined to plague the engaging, fun-loving racer.
  Wert's shin problems prevented him from attending a national team training camp in Europe this past October, but team officials are hopeful that he'll be ready in time to improve on his 33rd overall showing in the World Cup downhill from last season.