Cory took a huge step towards being named to Team Canada 2025, at the Special Olympics National Winter Games at Canada Olympic Park in Calgary in early March.
Early morning warm-up, Cory in the yellow boots on the left, with the race course, in the middle of this photo, and the 1988 Olympic ski jumps - where Eddie the Eagle became famous world-wide for his courage and determination.
Cory won Gold in both Giant Slalom and Super Giant Slalom, and Silver in Slalom. A total of 28 points, tied for 2nd overall. In previous World Games, Canada has taken at least 5 alpine skiers and in 2022, named 15 male skiers, including Cory, to the Team. It's looking very good for Cory's selection, but we'll have to wait a couple of months before it is confirmed.
In the Giant Slalom race on February 28, Cory's divisioning time placed him in the M2 Division of Advanced, the 2nd fastest division overall. Just as he was at the 2020 National Winter Games in Thunder Bay. And just as he did there, he was the fastest racer in that division - he won the first run by only .40 of a second but increased his margin to 1.4 seconds in the second run - and earned himself a Gold Medal. One down, 2 to go.
Here is one of his runs, with a little wave to the camera at the finish line:
Cory called to the podium...(after the silver medalist)...
GS Gold medal, presented by our Member of Parliament from Delta, and former Paralympian, Carla Qualtrough.
The next day, February 29, it was very cold for the Super G, around -20C. But Cory had recently trained at Sun Peaks in -40C weather, so he was well prepared. Due to the cold weather, they shortened the divisioning to only one run instead of two, and ran the actual race immediately afterward. So we had no way of knowing how the divisioning would work out.
As it turned out, there were only two divisions this time round, and Cory took first place in his division by a comfortable margin of 2.23 seconds. Edward, the Ontario racer, fell during his run.
2 Golds in Cory's pocket - or rather around his neck - what would Slalom bring the next day...
Snow. And lots of it. So once again they ran the race immediately after the divisioning runs. The soft falling snow was treacherous, and several racers fell, including two of the top 3 male skiers.
So after the 1st run, Cory was in 2nd place overall, well behind the leader, but a second ahead of all other racers.
Then in the 2nd run, the leader - one of Cory's teammates - knowing how treacherous the snow was, really slowed down, thinking all he had to do was finish the race and gold would be his. Well he almost slowed down too much as Cory was 3.6 seconds faster, and missed top division Gold by only .62 of a second!
With 2 of the 4 racers in the top division having fallen, Cory was moved up into that top division to earn himself a silver. 2nd fastest Slalom skier in the country!
So with this remarkable season just about over, we wait for an exciting phone call from Special Olympics Canada, hopefully by the end of May. In the meantime, here are more photos from the National Games, Cory's 4th consecutive National Winter Games going back to 2012 in Jasper, in which he's won a total of 12 medals: 5 Gold (2024 & 2020), 4 Silver (2024 & 2016), and 3 Bronze (2012).
The lobby of the Nutrien Event Centre in Stampede Park in Calgary, on February 27, waiting for the doors to open for the Opening Ceremonies.
Some shots of Cory in Slalom action, courtesy of Special Olympics Canada...
Next up, an enjoyable 4 days of skiing at BC Adaptive's All Mountain Camp, with half days of gate training and half days of free-skiing in great snow conditions, at Sunshine Village in Banff, Alberta.
And some regional qualifying tournaments in June for softball and soccer. There's more to life than a ski hill!
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