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December 1, 2009
Wow!
What a great start to the season! Mother Nature has done her job and provided us with some great early season conditions. There were lots of happy skiers on opening day!
The club cabin was again packed to the rafters with athletes and parents keen to find some fresh snow. I was particularly struck by how quickly everyone hit their stride – almost as if we haven’t been on hiatus for almost 7 months! Clearly, the kids and adults alike were renewing old friendships and happy to be back in their winter second home.
I have loved the sport of skiing from a very young age, but growing up in snow-free Victoria provided limited opportunity for me to actually participate in the sport. Jean-Claude Killy was my only mentor (via the pages from his book) and from him I learned to ski. I’m no pro. Not a racer, and had little opportunity to ski at all until my late teenage years. So, how is it that I will now be working on an Olympic race course? How is it that I now have the opportunity to rub shoulders with world-class ski racers? How is it that I may have future opportunities to be involved with the World Cup race circuit?
Simple. I wanted my kids to learn to ski. Not race. Just get down the hill on their own steam so I didn’t have to tie a rope to them or break my back propping them up.
And Wow! Have they learned to ski. Our involvement with this organization has far exceeded our basic aspirations of ‘learning to ski’ and it has influenced our entire family in a way that I would have never expected when we first signed up for the 3 hour, Sunday afternoon Nancy Greene Ski League lessons.
The VSC has some of the most passionate ski-parents I know, who’s energy and vision has grown the club from having very few athletes to having almost the largest membership in the Okanagan. I have been drawn into the vortex during the past few years and have watched my kids grow to love the sport and become really great skiers. I have also watched them achieve things that I would have never imagined were in the cards. Unexpectedly, I have also experienced my own achievements within the sport which simply adds icing to an already well-iced cake.
This, being an Olympic year, we all have a great opportunity to witness the world’s top ski racers compete in our own back yard. It gives our kids a glimpse into what potential they may hold and, perhaps, prompts us adults to think about where these athletes got their start. Clubs like our own are the life blood of the sport and we should be proud to be part of an organization that provides such great opportunities for our families.
This season is shaping up to be a great one. Lots of activities, great coaching staff and renewed energy to be the best that we can be. I encourage you to be drawn into the vortex that is VSC. The benefits go well beyond learning to ski.
I welcome your calls any time thru the season if you have questions, concerns or want to borrow that Jean-Claude Killy book ….its a classic!
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