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Disabled ski team on the road

Whistler skiers look for continued improvement on road to 2006
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Ski team performed well despite gruelling travel schedules, taking silver and bronze at world cup events recently in Yong Pyeong, Korea. Photo by Andrew Mitchell

Obviously jet lag wasn’t much of a factor against the Canadian Disabled Alpine Ski Team.

The team wrapped up a Whistler training camp last Wednesday, Jan. 18, then immediately headed to the opening World Cup events at Yong Pyeong, Korea, some 17 hours ahead.

Despite two days of intense travelling and some unexpected delays, a pair of Canadian skiers found the podium.

Lauren Woolstencroft of Victoria and Calgary took the silver medal in the women’s standing slalom, between Allison Jones of the U.S. and Iveta Chlebakova of Slovakia.

In the men’s visually impaired slalom, skier Chris Williamson and guide Bobby Taylor earned the bronze medal behind Radomir Dudas and guide Maros Hudik of Slovakia, and Erik Villalon Fuentes and guide Yurrita Hodei of Spain.

Other skiers also came close to earning medals.

Sit skier Kimberly Jones finished well back of the podium after going off course in her second run, but is obviously on track for another great year after posting the top time in the first run.

Scott Patterson finished seventh in the men’s sit ski category.

Matt Hallat, who lives and trains in Whistler part-time, finished 12 th among standing skiers.

The following day Canada earned two more medals in the giant slalom. Joines put two runs together to win silver, while Woolstencroft claimed a gold.

"Every day counts and it is evident that the physical and mental preparation we have been doing is paying off," said CDAST head coach Leslie Clarke.

Both Hallat and Brad Lennea, another Whistler athlete, would agree. Both are relatively new to the team, and both have qualified for the Paralympics – Lennea in giant slalom and Hallat in all four disciplines. They have modest goals for this year’s Olympics, but as long as they continue to show improvement from week to week they’re on track for 2010.

"The Paralympics are always back-of-mind, but we’re always focused on the next event. We’re really taking it one step at a time," said Hallat, who hails from Coquitlam but "crashes on Brad’s couch about 200 days a year."

"We’re looking at refining technique," he added. "There are a lot of little things you learn from racing that you can’t get in training if you’re paying attention."

For the 2006 Paralympic Winter Games, his goal is to be in the top-15 of every discipline. "That’s what I’m shooting for at the moment, and to be more consistently in the top-15. I’m continuing to improve with every race, which is encouraging, and by the time 2010 rolls around I’m looking to be a contender.

"It’s not every day you have a chance to compete at your home hill. As soon as the dream (of hosting the Olympics and Paralympics) became a reality, it became my dream to ski for Canada.

"Skiing is tough. It takes a long time to become one of the best, which is why I always try to push it. But at the same time you have to be patient – you can’t force the results.

"The team is helping out a lot. Every year the support is better and better, we’re getting more and more days on snow, we’re travelling to more races – all of the little details are being taken care of, so we can focus everything we’ve got on our skiing."

For Lennea, racing on the World Cup and qualifying for the Olympics are also a dream come true, and he’s having fun as long as he’s continuing to show improvement.

"This is my first Paralympics, my third year with the team. I still see myself climbing the ladder, which is what keeps me in it. I’m gaining experience, and having the time of my life racing," he said.

"The main thing I see is better start numbers, and how important they are to results. The better I do, the better my start numbers. But you have to be patient. All the top skiers have been doing this a long time, so it makes sense to be patient. Experience counts a lot, because it’s always the little mistakes that cost you."

Lennea is also amazed by the kind of support the team is getting this season.

"Just the coaching support has been unbelievable and we have a physio and a tech guy to take care of the equipment. The Paralympics are part of it, but 2010 is definitely helping," he said.

"I talk to racers at other events, and they tell me how lucky I am that we’re having the Paralympics in my home town."

Lennea says his greatest motivation is to watch the other Canadian athletes that are at the top of their games.

"Just to watch the other guys win and see how excited they are to be on the podium, it just drives you to reach your own goals," he said.

While the Whistler training camp was hindered slightly by snow, Lennea says the team did get three good days of training in. Besides, practicing on a snowy courses will probably help in Europe where some venues are experiencing record snowfalls this season, Lennea said.

Following the World Cup in Korea, the team headed to Japan and then China before making their way to Europe.