Back to the Ski Hill...with a "Win"!

So it is back to the ski hill for Cory as a new ski season is underway and he's off to a good start with a win in the first Kokanee race of the year. In a race in which he usually tries to not finish last, he placed first in his age group. Actually he did finish last, and first, since he was the only racer in his age group! He found it quite funny when his name was called to receive his first place prize... Racing on Gandy Dancer on Blackcomb Mountain, Cory shows off his new colours this year, replacing his blue Blue Streak jacket and blue helmet with a new jacket from Whistler Mountain Ski Club and a new lime green helmet... Racing as the last skier in each run, he was faced with a challenging chewed-up race course, and in his first run, he catches a rut, almost crashes, and misses a gate. This usually means a disqualification but being the only one in his age group, it was ignored and he took home the first place prize of free ski wax!
1st Run He completes a clean 2nd run with some good speed too for so early in the season.. 2nd Run There are 6 more Kokanee races throughout the winter but with Cory starting a season with no important races until 2014 at the earliest, he'll likely compete in only 2 or 3 of those, as well as some Disabled Skiers Association of BC races at Whistler in April. He hopes instead to get to do some good powder skiing on a new pair of powder skis - much more fun in powder than those thin race skis. He'll also ramp up his basketball work as his team begins serious preparations for the Provincial Summer Games in July 2013. And there's a week in Hawaii planned for mid-March as well.

"There's More To Life Than A Ski Hill!"

Well ski season isn't quite here yet but it won't be much longer now.  Cory has eased off his bowling but is working once a week with his basketball team as they begin to prepare for the Provincial Games next July.

As a Special Olympics athlete, and especially as Provincial and National Champion, Cory understands that he has an important role to play in fund-raising and in increasing awareness for Special Olympics.  From asking for donations at checkout counters of national retailers such as Canada Safeway and Staples, to walking in parades, to selling raffle tickets, to volunteering at events such as golf tournaments, Cory knows that without corporate sponsorship and community support, Special Olympics would likely not exist.

Selling raffle tickets at Canada Safeway - a national sponsor - in Tsawwassen, which also happens to be Cory's employer.




Helping out and showing off his medals at the Food & Drug Annual Golf Tournament in Surrey...

Bagging and asking for donations during JYSK's annual fundraising campaign:

But recently, Cory took this work to a whole new level.  For the first time in his life, he made a speech at a Fundraiser for Special Olympics hosted by International Child Care, also in Tsawwassen.  And for a first time public speaker, his audience seems to enjoy his speech and they share a few laughs together.  He speaks for almost 12 minutes, and the sound isn't very good, so you may wish to turn up your volume to hear properly.

We don't know yet whether Cory will be asked to do any more public speaking but he does seem to be a bit of a natural so we'll see.

First ski race is a Kokanee Race (yes, the ones with the free beer!) on December 13.

Basketball It Is!

Looks like a bit of a change in direction for Cory - his basketball team has officially qualified for Special Olympics British Columbia's Provincial Summer Games in Langley next July. He of course went to the last Summer Games in Abbotsford in 2009, but in 5 Pin Bowling, where he qualified for the National Games in London, Ontario in 2010. He went on of course to become a National Champion, as an individual in the top division, and helping his team take Gold as well. But now it's a true team sport and if his team does well in Langley, they could qualify for the 2014 Nationals right here in Vancouver. And that's the chance to qualify for the World Summer Games in Los Angeles in 2015.

We've talked about the irony of this - Cory hasn't worked nearly as hard at his basketball skills as he has in developing his ski racing skills - but here he is on his way to the Provincials, so much more easily than in skiing it seems. But he's excited about it and we'll develop a plan to improve his skills - especially his shooting over the winter.

So he will focus on skiing and basketball this winter - no bowling - and even his skiing this winter can take a back seat to basketball since his next important ski race won't take place until 2015.

So stay tuned....we'll post as Cory's basketball program, which starts in October, develops and of course keep posting about his ski racing too.

3 Bronze Medals At The National Games

In 2007, Cory set himself a goal of qualifying for the 2012 National Winter Games, getting on the podium, and hopefully qualifying for the 2013 World Winter Games in Korea.

He qualified for the National Games by winning his 3 races at the Provincial Games in 2011, and then placed 3rd in his 3 races at the National Games at Marmot Basin Ski Area in Jasper, Alberta. But it wasn't quite enough, as only the 1st and 2nd place finishers qualified for Korea.





He is now waiting to hear whether he has qualified for the 2013 BC Provincial Summer Games in either Basketball, Softball, or Bowling (he is hoping for Basketball). In the meantime, he is planning to keep racing next winter though he will reduce the frequency and intensity of his training as it will be 2015 before his next important race.

Finally, The National Games

Cory's journey to his first Special Olympics National Winter Games really began at his first Provincial Games held in Kelowna, BC in 2007. In one of his first ski races ever - racing in the top division of the Advanced group, he completed the first run of the Giant Slalom in fourth place, then improved his time in the second run to move into third place for a bronze. He then earned bronze in both the Super Giant Slalom and Slalom races the next day. With insufficient points to qualify for the National Games in 2008, he set his sights on the 2012 Nationals, and a chance to be selected to Team Canada to compete at the World Games in Korea in 2013.

And at those National Games on March 1 & 2 in Jasper, Alberta, history would repeat itself.

On the Provincial Games podium in 2007:



First, as we did in 2007, we took a few moments before his departure to enjoy one of his favourite places - Lighthouse Park in Point Roberts, Washington - and to try on his new Team BC 2012 uniform. The Team BC jacket, which Cory really likes....



His Team BC race gear:



A bit of fun in a tuck:



And time for one last look at the ocean before heading into the mountains of Alberta:


Then it's off to Vancouver International Airport...



...to meet up with Team BC teammates:



And gather prior to departure, with Cory - in the far right corner with Megan of the Special Olympics Provincial Office staff - preparing for....



His first ever phone interview with the press, though it was rather noisy so he had to hunker down to hear the reporter's questions...



Then it's boarding time for his Westjet flight to Edmonton:



Good Luck Cory!



The next day, congregating with this teammates for the opening ceremonies at Servus Credit Union Place in St. Albert, Alberta:



And then it's one of the truly emotional moments, as the athletes walk into the Opening Ceremonies, led by Honorary Coach BC Lions Quarterback Travis Lulay and Cory enters with his Alpine Skiing teammates very close to the front....though he knows now to listen for my ringing cowbell, he doesn't hear it and at first can't find us, until a quieter moment when I ring it again and he turns to see us...unfortunately my ringing cowbell also creates a lot of camera shake....

"Ladies & Gentlemen....Team BC!"








Law enforcement officers have a close relationship with Special Olympics as the Law Enforcement Torch Run is a major fundraiser for Special Olympics around the world. Officers from all areas of law enforcement form an important part of the Opening Ceremonies as they conduct the Torch lighting ceremony...beginning with the piping in of the flags of Canada, Alberta, St. Albert, and the Special Olympics flag...



the singing of O Canada; the entrance of the torch by dozens of law enforcement officers; the lighting of the flame; and ending with the opening of the Games by Canadian Gold Medalist Jamie Sale.




And the next morning, February 29, it's time to head from St. Albert to Jasper, a five-hour drive. So, to break the boredom and in honour of a long-time family tradition, we track down the Team BC bus...



And pass it while honking the horn and waving the BC flag....then pull over and do it all over again, several times. Cory said later everyone on the bus was laughing and cheering and wondering who those crazy people were in that car that kept passing them!



And the arrival at the competition venue, Marmot Basin Ski Resort, where the team will train for a few hours before heading to their hotel.







The next day it's the first day of competition and the sun works hard to break through the clouds. Still, it a good day for racing, with excellent visibility, chilly but not extremely cold by any means, and excellent snow conditions. The day will start with two timed runs that will determine divisioning. We expect Cory will be placed in the top grouping of the Advanced division, going head-to-head against the current world champion from Quebec. First a course inspection and Cory has a good look at the course as he stands near the finish line:



Cory finishes his first division run in 22.13 seconds, the 3rd fastest run of the 39 racers:



A similar time for his second run and Cory is firmly in the top grouping of the Advanced Division, which turns out to be a group of 6 racers:



Cory was very pleased to see that his aunt and uncle had arrived to watch him race at the National Games. It was just great that we would now be able to share the experience live with family. We wish to thank them both for making the long drive to Jasper.



And finally, after 5 years of hard work, after hours and hours of training and hearing one coach or another, including his father, tell him what he's doing wrong and what he needs to work harder on and get better at, after countless trips to Cypress Mountain, Grouse Mountain, and Whistler Blackcomb, in temperatures ranging from -30 to +30, in snow, fog, sunshine, driving winds, and even pouring rain, after hours of waxing, scraping, and tuning 4 pairs of skis over and over again, after carrying all his gear to Kamloops & Kelowna & Vancouver Island, and to Oregon & Colorado, after an estimated $35000 worth of lift tickets, coaching fees, race fees, equipment purchases, hotel and travel costs, after all of that, Cory finally - finally! - gets his chance to realize his dream. To race in the National Games with a chance, perhaps his only chance ever, to be selected to join Team Canada.

Here's his first run of two in the Giant Slalom, and just as this video starts, he makes a small mistake - a little slip of his downhill ski. You can hear me groan a bit, but his mum cheering her heart out for her son, drowns it out. But his mum notices it too since it's in a bad place on the course, just before it flattens out with no steep pitch before the finish, and Cory has no chance to regain speed. As a result, he's in fourth place after the first run - really the worst place to be, just off the podium and with no medal. But there's a second run still to be had.



And just as he did at the Provincials in 2007 where he was in 4th place after his first run of the first race, he nails a great second run, improves his time by 2 seconds, and takes his place on the podium for his first medal at his first National Winter Games.




Awaiting the medal ceremony, obviously pleased and likely relieved with his medal win:



And with his Team BC teammates:



And then it's onto the podium!





And after a congratulatory handshake with the Gold Medal winner, Michael Gilbert, who is from Quebec and doesn't speak English, and is the current World Champion.



And a congratulatory hug from Aunt Sandie!



The next day - with both the Super G and the Slalom on the schedule - another good day for racing. Good visibility, not too cold, great snow.



The Super G is just one run on this day and Cory looks good....



And completes his run in ...




And that's another Bronze Medal!





Later, his first slalom run is the best I've ever seen him race. Aggressive, confident, smooth, and dynamic, and it's his 3rd Bronze Medal in 3 races, just like his first Provincial Games in 2007.




So with his 3 medals around his neck, back at Servus Credit Union Place in St. Albert, Cory joins with all the Games athletes and coaches for the singing of O Canada to officially close the Games:





And to the applause of Games volunteers, he boards the bus for the return to their hotel for the Games-ending party:




And the next day, the team - tired but happy - arrive at Vancouver International Airport to a noisy welcome:



And a little celebration at a local restaurant where, due to a couple of recent local newspaper articles that have made Cory somewhat of a local celebrity, he is surprised to be be asked for his autograph for the first time ever!




But happily signs for his newest fan...




And with that comes the end of at least this stage of Cory's journey. While we are all very pleased and very proud of Cory's performance, his 3 bronze medals will likely not be enough to qualify him to compete for Canada at the 2013 Special Olympics World Winter Games in Pyeongchang, South Korea. We will now wait for the official team announcement sometime in the next couple of months.

In the meantime, Cory will compete at the Regional qualifying level in Basketball and 5 Pin Bowling (he is the current Canadian National Champion) this month, and in Softball in June. It will be the first time he tries to qualify for Basketball and Softball, and in fact has only played 6 basketball games and about 8 softball games in his life.

If he does decide later to try to qualify in Alpine Skiing for the 2017 Special Olympics World Winter Games (at an as yet undetermined location), then we will take everything we've learned from the last 5 years, and build a plan that will again put him in the best position to succeed. He has proven with his commitment, work ethic, and dedication to his training, that while he may not have a Gold Medal to show it, he really does have the heart of a champion.

We'll update again soon with results from the Basketball and Bowling qualifiers, and report on Cory's plans for his ski racing future, once he's decided.

Oh, and one more thing, he wants a vacation. At one of those all-inclusive places - likely in Cuba - where he can sit in the pool or wade into a warm ocean from a white sandy beach, while sipping from his favourite drink, a sweet cool blend of pineapple juice, blue curacao, and rum.

A vacation that is truly well-deserved. A vacation for a champion.

1 Plus 2 Makes 3!

There's 3 bronze medals now ready for Cory's trophy case back home! After earning a Bronze in Giant Slalom on Thursday, Cory took 3rd place in both the Super G and Slalom on Friday, at Marmot Basin Ski Resort near Jasper, Alberta.

He really did race the races of his life this week - particularly in the Super G and Slalom, where he skied aggressively and confidently and was less than 2 seconds out of second place. The top two racers each won Gold and Silver respectively in all three races, and the Gold medalist of course is the reigning world champion.

Cory will return to Edmonton on Saturday where he will take part in the Closing Ceremonies, then return to Vancouver airport around noon on Sunday.

We'll update with video and photos next week.

1st Day 1st Medal

Cory earned a Bronze Medal in Giant Slalom in the top division of the Advanced Group today at Marmot Basin near Jasper, Alberta in Special Olympics' National Winter Games.

After a little slip in his first run, he was in fourth position but nailed a great 2nd run, improved his time by 2 seconds, and jumped ahead onto a spot on the podium.

The current World Champion from Quebec grabbed the gold medal - as we expected - and another excellent ski racer from Ontario took the silver. Tomorrow is the Super G, then slalom in the afternoon, so we'll update again tomorrow night.

Ready to Fly Like An Eagle!

With 10 days to go to Cory's departure for Special Olympics' National Winter Games in St. Albert & Jasper, Alberta, his 5 years of preparation and training are coming to an end. He's just returned from two days at Whistler, where he spent one day at Gatebusters doing some GS gate training, and the next in a Kokanee Super G race. He'll train one more time with Special Olympics, but will use most of the next 10 days resting.

Working with former Canadian ski team member Chris Kent this week, he's been trying to add just a little tweak to his body position by spreading his arms further apart -and "fly like an eagle", as Chris said.

Like any sport, becoming a better racer requires repetitive practice, and Cory has been able to do gate training on 23 days so far this season. On each day, Cory tries to get about 8-10 runs through the race course. With about 20 gates per course, that means that he has made up to about 4600 turns around gates this season.

Here are a few of those 4600 turns....

At a Gatebusters GS session on Ptarmigan at Whistler on February 1, where Cory is working on just trying to find more speed...

But first, some warm ups with Blackcomb's Seventh Heaven in the background:






Spectacular sights are easy to find at Whistler Blackcomb:




And a week later, again at a Gatebusters GS session on Ptarmigan, he seems to have found that extra speed....



And a view of the whole race course....







Got to fit in a lunch break amongst all those runs...





And then on Gandy Dancer on Blackcomb on February 15, working on keeping his arms a bit wider, and it takes him a few runs before he starts to "fly like and eagle"...



At the end of the day, a ride on the Peak to Peak Gondola to get us over to the Peak to Creek run...the longest intermediate run in North America...for the last run of the day. Over the last couple of weeks, we've tried to cut back somewhat on Cory's gate training - after all 4600 gates should be enough! - and just enjoy more free-skiing, just to add a bit more fun, a bit less work, to Cory's routine.






And then a bit of clowning around with Cory trying to "fly like an eagle"..




The next day, it's a race...another in the Kokanee series, and this time it's a Super G on Gandy Dancer on Blackcomb. And Cory does a good job at keeping his arms further apart as he races, though he does drop his inside hand as he turns. But the wider arms will give him more stability and balance in a more athletic stance as he races.

And he said later he heard me ringing the cowbell!



With the Super G cut to only one run due to a continuing snow fall (which adds soft snow to a hard race surface which can be dangerous), then why not use the extra time for some hot-tubbing - but that falling snow is cold!




and talk about a great ski-in/ski-out location - right by the Wizard Chair....




So after 5 years of training - from the 2007 Special Olympics British Columbia Provincial Winter Games when he set his sights to qualify for the 2012 National Games - Cory is ready. He'll train one more time with Special Olympics at Cypress next week, and then get some rest, work some shifts at Canada Safeway, and prepare for his departure with Team BC on Monday, February 27. And then it's onto Marmot Basin near Jasper, where he certainly plans to "fly like an eagle". We'll update again soon.