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The family perspective

By Michel Beaudry He’s lived his entire adult life in the shadow of Whistler Mountain. Literally.

By Michel Beaudry

He’s lived his entire adult life in the shadow of Whistler Mountain. Literally. From local racer boy to downhill hero, from free-spirited adrenaline hound to doting father and World Cup coach, Rob Boyd’s story is inextricably bound to the story of the mountain with which he shares a birthday.

And somehow that’s fitting too. For though he wasn’t born in this valley — he moved here in 1982 — Boyd is still considered a shining example of that first generation of homegrown kids to put Whistler on the global sports map. “I think this place had a lot to do with my success,” he says. “I always knew where I came from. I always felt very proud to tell people I was a Whistlerite...”

He stops. Sighs. “Now that I’m a dad,” he explains, “I think about that kind of stuff a lot more. Whistler has changed since I was a teenager living at the base of the mountain. And I’m not sure it’s all for the best. From a parental point-of-view, I want this place to be more than just another mountain Disneyworld. I want a community that instills good values and nurtures a wonderful way of life for our kids.”

Boyd understands that living in a tourist town means carefully balancing the needs of “community” and “resort”. But what concerns him most right now is whether that balance is out of true. “How much of the community aspects are being put on the back-burner while all the money is being spent on big showy development projects?” he asks. “How much are we sacrificing social progress for short-term profits?”

“We’re a town of only 10,000,” he says. “And we have a lot of ‘stuff’. But we don’t share a common vision. Sometimes it seems like everyone here has their own private agenda. Some want to make money, some want to wield power — and others just want to go out and get as many ski days as possible…”

And that’s totally OK, he says. But if Whistler is to become the community it deserves to be, Boyd maintains “we should really be focusing on working together a little more.” He pauses for a moment. Takes a deep breath. “Everyone talks about sustainability these days. But they often forget that there’s a social component to the mix too. So what are we doing to sustain our way-of-life here? What are we doing to make this place even better in the future?”

It’s an aspect of Whistler life that he plans to work on in the coming years. “I believe there should a lot more world-class athletes living at Whistler,” says the 40-year-old, soon-to-be father of two. “After all, we certainly have the right physical plant for the development of great athletes here. But we’re falling way short. I don’t know what the problem is. But one of my long-term goals is to really look into this issue and try to come up with a way to support our local competitors and bring them up to the next level.”

And if that means having to find new and creative ways to get local kids involved in elite sports, then so be it. “There’s decent financial support for some,” he says, “but I know there is still a big gap between those who can afford to play sports and those who can’t. Whistler is perceived as this really wealthy place. But in reality there are a lot of kids in this town who simply can’t afford to be involved in high-level competition. All I want to do is make sure the financial playing field is a little more even.”

It’s a very simple goal, he says. “I want Whistler to become a place where people say: ‘Wow — that’s the town where all those great athletes come from.’ To me, that would mean a heck of a lot more than ‘Wow — there’s another plastic Disney Mountain.’ I think that’s how Whistler could continue to be a truly inspiring community. Why? Because it truly takes a whole community to bring up world-class athletes …”

He laughs again. Almost apologetically. “So how do you do this? Obviously I don’t have all the answers. That’s why I’m bringing it up. For example, we’re supposed to be getting a new training centre in the athletes’ village. If we start talking about it now — figuring out what we need as a sporting community — we might be able to get things going in the right direction for the future…”

Boyd is convinced that community success comes from fostering the right team spirit. “I think if people reach out and aim just a little higher than what they’re comfortable with, they’ll find that there are a lot more winning opportunities out there for them. As a sports community, Whistler has this huge potential. We just have to believe in ourselves more.”

As usual, Boyd is backing up his words with actions. And once again, his professional destiny is linked directly to Whistler Mountain’s. “I’ve committed myself to the Canadian Ski Team until the 2010 Games,” he explains. “I’m also working on my various coaching levels. After the Games — I’d love nothing more than to come home and get involved in some local programs …”

But right now he’s on a mission. Assigned to the highly-touted women’s speed squad for the last two seasons, Boyd’s job is to make sure that his charges are razor-sharp for the new Olympic downhill course that the folks at Whistler-Blackcomb are shaping on Franz’s run right now. “It’s exciting for sure,” he says. “Once again, there’s a downhill course in my backyard that will play a huge role in my life over the next four years. I mean — this is the course that will ultimately decide who gets gold, silver or bronze in 2010. And my job is to get a Canadian wearing the gold. That’s why I plan to spend as much time as I can here with my squad. I want those women to become so familiar with this place that they’ll be able to ski this course in their sleep…”

Another deep chuckle. “Yeah — it’s kind of funny to find myself back on the White Circus,” he says. “Travel and missing the big days at Whistler still suck. But coaching is really rewarding. When I retired from racing, people kept asking me ‘When are you going to start coaching?’ and I thought ‘Why would I do that?’ But I’ve grown to really love it. Sure — it’s tough at times. Particularly right now with a growing family. But my love of the sport — the knowledge that I have; the positive effect I can have on the athletes — makes this a very fulfilling profession for me.”

Besides, he adds with that little-kid grin that has almost become his trademark, what’s not to like about spending time outdoors, on your skis, working with great athletes at some of the most beautiful mountain resorts in the world?

“I know I’m sacrificing a heck of a lot for this silly love affair with the sport,” he says. “I know I should be at home being part of the family scene. But I just feel that this is the right thing for me to do right now. I pulled myself away for a while — from 1997 to 2004 — but I just couldn’t stay away. I have an end-date for this gig and I’m planning to stick to it.” He takes another deep breath. Smiles again. “After 2010, I really want to spend time at home…”