Taking a look at our inspiring Canadian athletes

Photography by Dan Bannister and Supa Chowchong

Steve Omischl
Freestyle Skiing-Aerials
HOMETOWN: North Bay, Ontario/Kelowna, British Columbia
CAREER HIGHLIGHTS:
- Two-time Olympian (Torino, placed 20th) (Salt Lake City, placed 11th)
- 2004, 2007, 2008 FIS Aerials World Cup Champion
- 2004, 2008 FIS Freestyle World Cup Champion

When you talk to Steve Omischl, his focus and determination is immediately apparent. A reoccurring thought is the main reason behind this drive. "I think about winning an Olympic gold medal every day," he says. On his Web site, he cites his low performances at the Torino and Salt Lake City Games as the two blemishes on his resume. For Omischl, Vancouver will be the perfect stage for redemption. "In 2006 I was hurt for about six months, so I couldn't train properly for Torino. 2010 is the perfect opportunity to finish my career the way it should be finished." With an abundance of World Cup victories under his belt, it's obvious only the top step of the podium will do for Omischl. So what is his plan to make sure it happens? "It's all about the little things, consistency and having a solid routine down. I'm a pretty meticulous person, so I could talk for three hours about how I prepare," he says with a laugh. "But really I just want to bring the practices I use to win other competitions into a major Games." As for the pressure that comes along with gold medal expectations from a home crowd, he says, "I would say I've responded pretty well over the years!"

Jason Myslicki
Nordic Combined
HOMETOWN: Thunder Bay, Ontario
CAREER HIGHLIGHTS:
- 41st place, Torino 2006 Olympic Winter Games
- 23rd place 2009 World Cup in Chaux-Neuve, France (Career Best)

At thirty years old, Jason Myslicki is the veteran on Canada's Nordic combined team. Yet, when you talk to him, he seems as excited as a rookie. Returning to the sport after several years of retirement is the main reason Myslicki has a fresh perspective-and healthy body-as he heads into the biggest competition of his career. After competing in Torino and dealing with multiple injuries, he decided he was done with the sport that few people in North America understood or chose to support. But after getting healthy and coaching for several seasons, he couldn't pass up the opportunity to compete in the Games on home soil. Fast forward to 2010 and Myslicki is doing better than ever. In his first year back, he placed twenty-third in a France World Cup event, his career highlight to date. Now he aims to perform well at the Games to bring in sponsorship for the sport. "I know a top twenty-five finish in Vancouver would really help out our funding situation in Canada," says Myslicki. "I would be beyond excited if that happened." The first Nordic combined event at the 2010 Games will be significant for Myslicki for reasons outside the obvious. The date will also mark what would have been his father's eightieth birthday, and Myslicki wants to honour his memory. On his blog he calls his dad his greatest hero, and says of the coincidence, "I just feel like there is bigger reason for me to be there.''

Maëlle Ricker
Snowboard
HOMETOWN: Squamish, British Columbia
CAREER HIGHLIGHTS:
- 27 World Cup podiums
- 12 World Cup victories
- 2008 Snowboardcross FIS Crystal Globe winner
- 4th place , Torino 2006 Olympic Winter Games

After more than a decade of competing internationally and following winter around the world, you'd think fresh snow wouldn't be all that exciting to Maëlle Ricker. But the premature blast of cold on the West Coast this season has her sounding like a teenager. "Early season powder is so awesome," she exclaims. "The nice thing about boardercross is that freeriding is such a huge portion of the training, and it's pretty darn fun!" Getting a chance to ride on home soil early on will surely help Ricker prepare for Vancouver. Although she is a veteran of two Olympic Games (Nagano and Torino), she is still in the hunt for a medal. She came extremely close in 2006 but wiped out in the final. She ended up being airlifted to hospital and placed fourth. Since the Torino Games she has been on a tear, racking up FIS points and going back and forth with American Lindsey Jacobellis over first place in the standings. In 2008 Ricker captured the coveted FIS Crystal Globe, cementing her as the best female snowboardcross rider in the world. Last season, she narrowly missed the trophy, placing second, while Jacobellis took the hardware. Ricker is off to a perfect start this season, however, winning her first World Cup of the year in Argentina. She also says she's feeling good and that her preparation is on track. "I feel like everything's coming together right now," she says. "If the Games were happening tomorrow, I think I'd do pretty well."

Kelsey Serwa
Ski Cross
HOMETOWN: Kelowna, British Columbia
CAREER HIGHLIGHTS:
- 2009 FIS Ski Cross Rookie of the Year
- 2nd place, 2009 World Cup Finals, La Plagne, France

If there were ever an up-and-comer to watch heading into the 2010 Olympic Winter Games, it would be ski-cross athlete Kelsey Serwa. As the 2009 FIS Rookie of the Year, she obviously shows a lot of promise, and even the bigwigs have taken notice. When asked what her goals are for 2010, Serwa does not beat around the bush either. "I am heading into this year with the goal of becoming the best. Isn't that what we all strive for?" she says with a grin. "Last season left me in the perfect position to install confidence going into this year, but also has given me enough drive to become the best in the world." Serwa stepped on the World Cup podium twice last season but is still looking for her first victory. With an international win and lofty aspirations in mind, she hit the gym and on-snow training hard throughout the summer. "The work seems to be paying off," she says. "I am able to ski for longer durations at a higher intensity without becoming fatigued-yeah!" Serwa's enthusiasm toward her sport-along with dedicated hard work-is sure to pay off heading into the Olympic year.

Denny Morrison
Speed Skating
HOMETOWN: Fort St. John, British Columbia
CAREER HIGHLIGHTS:
- Olympic Silver Medallist, Team Pursuit, Torino 2006.
- 2009 World Single Distance Championships-silver: 1000m, bronze: 1500m
- 2008 World Champion - 1500m

A lot has happened since Denny Morrison won an Olympic medal four years ago. For starters, he's had the braces taken off his teeth, which certainly signals a coming of age. He's also broken a world record in the 1,500-metres, beaten his idol Jeremy Wotherspoon in a World Cup race, and bought a condo next to the new Olympic Oval in Richmond. The one constant has been his drive for success at the Vancouver 2010 Games and the presence of his older brother Jay. According to Morrison, one of his biggest motivators to try the sport was to keep up with Jay, who also competes for Speed Skating Canada. They have been on the team together for six years and are widely known to have an incredibly supportive relationship, even though Denny is regarded as the superior skater. "In 2006, my brother missed the Olympic team by one spot," Denny told the FAN 590. "He has been my role model for my entire life, and always been the guy I've been chasing. So for him to not make the team was a heartbreaker." The 2010 Olympic team will be announced at the end of 2009, and you can bet the Morrisons are hoping to compete at their first Games together. Yet no matter what happens, a great performance for Denny in Vancouver would surely make Canadians-and, most importantly, Jay-extremely proud.

Mackenzie Boyd-Clowes
Ski Jumping
HOMETOWN: Calgary, Alberta
CAREER HIGHLIGHTS:
- Only Canadian to qualify for the finals during both days of competition at
the 2010 Sport Event at Whistler Olympic Park (finished 42nd and 49th)
- Competed at his first World Championships in 2009 and the only
Canadian to qualify for the large hill final (finished 46th)

There are few sports in the world that are as fast, dangerous, and beautiful as ski jumping. As one of Canada's best, Mackenzie Boyd-Clowes can tell you the feeling of jumping is unlike anything else, especially when you fly past expectations. "Last year I competed in my first two World Cups and ended up having the sixth-longest jump during training in Willingen, Germany," he explained. "When they saw a seventeen-year-old Canadian go that far, they had to lower the speed a bit, which felt pretty cool." What's also pretty cool is that Boyd-Clowes has a very good chance of qualifying for the 2010 Games even though the national team has struggled on the international stage. One Canadian automatically qualifies to compete at Whistler Olympic Park, but Boyd-Clowes wants to become eligible on his own merit. "If I get points in any of the next World Cups that I'm competing in, then I'll get an [Olympic] spot for sure," he explained. "Obviously if I stay top Canadian, I'll get a spot, but I don't really want to get in by default." According to Ski Jumping Canada, the team is hoping to enter four jumpers in the Games-Boyd-Clowes, Stefan Read, Trevor Morrice, plus one more in order to field a foursome for the team event. With the oldest member being only twenty-two, this has potential to be the experience of a lifetime for Boyd-Clowes and his teammates.

Hayley Wickenheiser
Women's Ice Hockey
HOMETOWN: Shaunavon, Saskatchewan
CAREER HIGHLIGHTS:
- Three-time Olympic medallist, Ice Hockey
(1998, 2002, 2006), two gold and one silver medal
- Summer Olympian - Softball (2000)
- "Top 25 Toughest Athletes," Sports Illustrated

Canadians are very lucky to have Hayley Wickenheiser as one of the top female role models in our country. Her ability to speak her mind in a confident and intelligent way is something all young girls should aspire to. Her hockey skills aren't too shabby, either. As a three-time Olympic medallist, Wickenheiser has played for the national team since she was fifteen, and last season she held her own on a Swedish men's division one team. Our nation should also be fortunate that Wickenheiser thinks the Vancouver 2010 Games have come at the perfect time. "I think I'm at the prime of my career right now, so it's a great opportunity to win a gold medal on home soil for Canada. You have to embrace it." The women's ice hockey competition at the Games is expected to be a heated battle against Canada's biggest rival-the United States. Canadians will truly be blessed if Wickenheiser and her team can hold off the U.S. as they try to avenge losing on home soil to Canada at the Salt Lake City Games in 2002.

Lauren Woolstencroft
Para-Alpine Skiing
HOMETOWN: North Vancouver, British Columbia
CAREER HIGHLIGHTS:
- Five-time Paralympic Medallist - three gold, two silver, and one bronze medal
- Two-time Paralympian (Salt Lake City, Torino)
- 2007 IPC Paralympic Sport Awards Best Female Athlete

For Lauren Woolstencroft and the Canadian Para-Alpine Ski Team, the setting in 2010 couldn't be more perfect. Woolstencroft is poised to compete in her third Paralympic Games this March and continues to dominate on the international tour. But she knows the next year is going to be a challenging, overwhelming experience, requiring a lot of focus. "I feel postive about Whistler; however, there's still lots of work to do," she recently said in an online profile with BC Hydro, where she works as a junior engineer. "Our training routine is similar to other seasons, what ramps up is all the ‘extras' that go with being part of the team-media, community events, etc." Woolstencroft has long been the marvel of the para-alpine world, winning over fifty competition medals, including five from the Paralympic Games. She is also a wonder to many people on the ski hill as she whizzes by them wearing three prosthetic limbs. Born missing her left arm below the elbow and both of her legs below the knee, Woolstencroft began ski racing as a teenager in Alberta and quickly made the provincial team. When the roster is named for the 2010 team in February, expect Woolstencroft at the top of the list.

Josh Dueck
Para-Alpine Skiing
HOMETOWN: Vernon, British Columbia
CAREER HIGHLIGHTS:
-2009 IPC Alpine Skiing Downhill World Champion-sitting category
-2007 & 2008 National Champion

Josh Dueck and the Canadian Para-Alpine Ski Team (CPAST) had a huge season last year, but he knows his team has to go even bigger for 2010. Jean-François Rapatel, the team's High Performance Director, has serious expectations. "Our main objective will be winning seventeen medals at the 2010 Paralympic Winter Games," he told First Tracks Online. As the reigning IPC Alpine Skiing Downhill World Champion in the sitting category, Dueck helped the Canadian team clinch first place in the 2009 IPC Nation's Cup standings and the World Championships, defeating both the Austrians and Americans for the first time. Now the challenge is to keep this up during a very important year for disabled sport in Canada, when the world comes to Vancouver for the Paralympic Games. Dueck is surely up to the challenge, as he has faced significant tests during his lifetime. In 2004 he suffered a devastating injury in a freestyle skiing accident while coaching in Vernon. He took an aerial jump too quickly and overshot the landing, dropping 100 feet into a parking lot. At the age of twenty-three, he had severed his spine and was paralyzed from the waist down. Dueck's drive and determination to recover saw him back on the mountain nine months after his injury-this time in a sit-ski. Racing at Whistler Creekside during 2010 will be the "ultimate competition," according to Dueck. This will also be the perfect platform for Canadians to meet an intriguing ambassador for Paralympic skiing.

"Olympic Profiles" first appeared in the January/February issue of IMPACT Magazine.