Being born is Tecumseh, Ontario, ski racing didn’t seem like a natural fit. I had skis on my feet from the age of two and we took annual trips to Mt. Tremblant. In 2007, my family decided to make the move to Calgary, Alberta, from that time on, we have all had a passion for skiing. In 2008, I joined the Sunshine Alpine Race Team based out of Sunshine Village in Banff and that’s been my home team ever since. I currently race in the provincial circuit for the Sunshine Alpine Racers, this involves an average 100 days on skis every year. My proudest accomplishments so far have included a gold and silver medal at the Alberta Winter Games and consistent top 10 finishes in the province, most recently I was invited to join the top 8 girls from Alberta
At 6pm on a Saturday evening, Sally and her parents were on their way to go skiing for their 20th time. The whole family was extremely excited and looking forward to this, especially since the place was somewhere they’d never been to before. As they were in the car, Sally was daydreaming about what the place would look like, and wondered if her worst fear would be there: ski lifts. Everything about this scared her. The car is out in the open, has no roof, and the ride could malfunction at any time. Since this unanswered question was on her mind now, she decided to ask her parents to see if they knew. “I’m just wondering, do either of you know if there are going to be ski lifts at the place?” Both of her parents paused in confusion but didn’t
Over the past couple of months I had the privilege to go the Collingwood, ON and compete at Junior National Championships for alpine skiing however the trip did not go as planned. On the trip there were six races and in my
Skiing has been a significant part of my life since I was three. The slopes fill me? with more joy than anywhere else. Throughout my years skiing, my Dad and my older brother Trevor have helped me. Following in their footsteps, I have progressed in both the way I ski and the difficulty of slopes I attempt. When I began skiing, I was scared and needed lessons. I could not complete any slopes except bunnies and greens (the easiest slopes). Through many days spent on the slopes challenging myself, my skill improved. I wanted to ski with my dad and brother, and knew I had to practice in order to even try keeping up with them. Determination to join them and be together skiing made me work harder than I have worked before to improve a skill. This story will help you see some of the challenges I faced and successes I achieved as I began to ski, and improved both my skill and mindset.
stood upon, was frightening. The only was to go was down. I took a deep
Photo five: My cross country uniform sticks out against the scenery. This photo brings a smile to my face as I remember all of the laughs I’ve had during cross country. This pieces strength results from the amount of heart I injected. I was able to add a specific story that helped support my ideas so it wasn’t just a proclamation.
I remembered watching a professional skier on television. He reached top speeds of about 25 miles an hour and I told my dad that I was interested in skiing. Our family relatives decided that we were going to do for winter break and we decided to take a trip to Utah. It was around a 5 hour drive and we finally arrived at a city called, “Brian Head.” My dad learned that there was a nearby ski resort and all of my cousins wants to go skiing. Our parents took us to the ski resort and decided to put us all in ski school. I thought that it would be easy because the professional skier made it look easy. My arrogance was an obstruction to my skiing experience because I thought that I didn’t need the instructor’s help. I continually
I will give a Ted Talk on skiing history, because it’s one of my passions.
Today I am a good skier and since I have been doing this for years, I have many stories. I learned many things and still have much more to learn. I feel like I am a crazy skier especially when I met my best friend Jakiah. When he told me he likes the snow I had to ask if he was a snowboarder or a skier, I was a little sad when he said he snowboards because I thought that he would be super
“The first ever skis were made to transport goods over 4,500 years ago in Russia mid-winter, these first skis weren't meant for speed, but to keep the rider up and out of the snow”. Then, some time in the 1700 people started using skis as a sport in Norway. Skiing then became an organized sport in the early 1800’s when the actual ski
“Few men are born brave; many become so through training and force of discipline” was
I never thought I would like it when I was so young because it is a difficult sport, but after a few years I fell in love with it. I continued mastering the sport util I was around 14 years old, then I transitioned to freestyle skiing. At this point in time, I was addicted skiing. I watched ski edits in school, out of school basically every minute of the day. Skiing has such a huge impact on me I even tried to make a ski park in my backyard. Since I could usually only venture to the mountain on weekends, I wondered if I could I turn my snowy backyard into a ski park. It already had the shape of a ski hill: there was a path I envisioned using to gain speed and there were stairs you could use as a kicker. I called a few of my neighbors over, explained my idea, and convinced them to help create this park. We skied down the track to pack the snow, then we placed the jumps and PVC rails. We used water to freeze parts of the course in place and I delegated tasks in order to complete the project quickly. We built upon the course throughout the winter and it worked so well, we rebuilt it every winter after.
I have not done very many activities over the summer. My parents just bought a lake house a few days before Memorial Day, so we spent all summer out there. While we were out there I thought I might as well benefit myself by trying a new water sport. I really didn’t want to, but my mom made me learn how to water ski.
would have to climb the mountains in order to ski them, which is why I brought
Thin air encompasses me as I commence the final day of skiing at Vail, Colorado. Seven days of skiing elapse rather painlessly; I fall occasionally but an evening in the Jacuzzi soothes my minor aches. Closing time approaches on the final day of our trip as I prepare myself for the final run of the vacation. Fresh off the ski lift, I coast toward the junction of trails on the unoccupied expert face of the mountain. After a moment of thought, I confidently select a narrow trail so steep that only the entrance can be seen from my viewpoint.
I believe I started inline skating in about seventh grade, and I would have to say I had no life before then. But I guess now, I still don't have a life because all I do has to do with inline skating and its representation as a sport, which is why I am giving this speech. In the summer I skate every day for 4 or more hours. I have been acquainted with the manager of Team Paradise, a nationally recognized mail order store. I have also helped in the production of CDS Detroit products, made locally in Grosse Pointe.