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.