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‘I think I’m done with skiing’ Emily Brydon plans to quit racing after 2010 By Rebecca Edwards Free Press Staff
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Teachers get a makeover - Page 2 SPARWOOD
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ernie-born skier Emily Brydon plans to hang up her ski boots at the end of this ski racing season, after Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics and the 20092010 Ski World Cup. “I think I’m done,” she said in an interview with The Free Press at the base of her home ski hill Fernie Alpine Resort. “I will have done three Olympics, I’ve been on tour for a lot of time, I just think I’m ready to try a different part of life and quit skiing while I still love it.” Brydon added: “I’m
tired. I have a lot of energy this year because of the Olympics, they are such a huge event and something that just inspires me but I think after the Olympics when I go back to Europe for the World Cup it is going to be a hard part of the season. “I have to get enough energy to finish them and then I think that is how my racing is going to end. “I told my sports psychologist the list of reasons I don’t want to ski next year, and told her that if I ever say I do want to ski, she has to read them out to me. “You can get so affected by results and I never want to ski for that. I also want to enjoy an active life for the rest of my life – I always want hiking and mountain biking to be part of my life, but my body’s getting a bit old and achy now.” Brydon said she has not yet decided what she will do after she finishes ski racing – partly because she wants to see what oppor-
SPORT
Racing in memory of Jim - Page 14
Emily Brydon says she will retire from ski racing at the end of the 2009-2010 ski season. Submitted photo
Emily Brydon at Fernie Alpine Resort this summer.
tunities arise from her contacts in the sports world. “I hope to have a career that is fun and inspiring, maybe one where I use my mind as well as my body. “There are a lot of things that I want to do, but I am trying to leave it there, to see what turns up. I would like to live in England for a few years. “I will see – there are so many things that have the potential to happen so I don’t want to narrow it down and shut out something else that might come up.” Brydon joined the national ski team aged 18, fresh from graduating from Fernie Secondary School. She took her first World Cup bronze aged 20 in St Moritz, Switzerland and won her first gold on the
same course in 2008. She came close to quitting in 2006 when – struck down by injury – she became disillusioned with the sport. However she decided to go back for one last Olympic cycle after starting work with the sports charity Right to Play and starting the Emily Brydon Foundation to support youth in the Elk Valley. Her first World Cup race will be in Lake Louise in December and her first Olympic race is on February 14. Brydon is aware she now faces a new hurdle unknown to most athletes – compiling her first resume. “My school work experience was at The Free Press when I wrote a column, I worked as a barista at Second Cup in Calgary
Photo by R. Edwards
when I had an injury because I wanted to have a ‘real’ job to put on my resume. “I worked at Alpine Canada for a little bit too, and I founded the Emily Brydon Foundation. “I suppose that’s four things for my resume. “My mom was bugging me the other day about this – she said, ‘Don’t you think that ‘worked as a barista’ is going to look a bit strange next to ‘founded a foundation’?’ “We get a lot of opportunities through sport, like public speaking, we have a lot of work experience without having worked in a nine-to-five job. “Anything to do with injuries and blood I’m not good with but I’m sure I will find something that I’ll enjoy.”
“I want to go to the opening ceremony – but I know I should get an early night instead.” Read more from our Emily Brydon interview in The Valley inside this edition
14
THE FREE PRESS Thursday, December 10, 2009
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Brydon conquers Lake Louise podium Proud mom talks about World Cup ski weekend By Rebecca Edwards Free Press Staff
A
s Emily Brydon skied her way to the Lake Louise podium not once, but twice last weekend, her mom Rosemary and other loyal supporters were there to welcome her over the finish line. Emily took silver place in the downhill race on Friday and bronze in Saturday’s second downhill race at the only Canadian ski World Cup, rushing into the crowd after each win for an emotional embrace with her mother. As her daughter cracked open a double magnum of champagne on the podium, Rosemary also made sure she was close by – by elbowing her way in to the press photographers enclosure. “I wanted to make sure I got a good view,” she told The Free Press after returning home to Fernie. “They gave her this big bottle and two of them were shaking it – you can imagine how far that champagne went.” The wins make Emily the third highest Canadian female ski racer in terms of podium wins - tied with 1970s champion Betsy Clifford. They also mean she has achieved a personal goal, said Rosemary. “She always had three races she wanted to get a podium at – Cortina, St Moritz and Lake Louise. That was always her dream and now she has done it. She had dinner with us that night and she was flying.” Rosemary has attended Lake Louise for many years, with both good and bad memories. Brydon’s best previous result was a fourth place in the downhill in 2003. “At Lake Louise over the years we have covered a lot of different emotions – this was the great one although equally emotional.” While she doesn’t believe in race rituals, she and her “shouting group” from Fernie have gathered home made moose toques, scarves with Go Canada on one side and Go Emily on the other, and a cow bell made at
Emily Brydon (centre back) with her loyal supporters at Lake Louise last weekend, including mom Rosemary (centre front in black) Submitted photo
Fernie Forge. The only rule they have is that they cheer for every single racer, especially in Canada where there are very few spectators in comparison to the European races where train-loads of fans turn out to watch.
In her own words - Emily Brydon “This is a huge weight off my shoulders because I have been waiting a long time to be on the podium here. I call it a ‘mini-Olympics’ for me. “I had a lot of ups and downs but they were all part of the journey to get here. “This is a great way to start the season and with Britt [Janyk, of Whistler] in fourth it reassures the world that we are back, and that we are in a very powerful position right now. I couldn’t be happier.” Press conference after her first podium on Friday. “This is what I grew up in. This is the powder, this is Fernie and why not make it my day.” Speaking about the snow flurries falling at Lake Louise during the race weekend.
However, even when Rosemary is standing at the side of the course she can’t bring herself to watch Emily racing. “I just don’t watch the screen. The others were all getting extremely excited so I knew it was a good one. “When she raced the first day she was relatively early so it was exciting after she was down because then I could look at all the others. I like early bibs and so does she.” Rosemary is travelling to watch Emily in Cortina, Italy in January but until then is expecting some sleepless nights as she waits for news of Emily’s races in Europe, which usually take place at 3 a.m. Canadian time. The first European race is in Val d’Isere on Dec. 16. She usually gets a phone call from her sister in Britain to say Emily has completed the race safely but has learned not to use the internet on race nights. “Here in Canada we can only see the live timing of races – no videos – so if you watch it live all you can see is the times going past and if it stops, you don’t know why or what has happened.” • Rosemary Brydon is selling Right to Play 2010 calendars, which feature Emily as one of the charity’s athlete ambassadors. Calendars cost $20 with proceeds going to the Toronto charity which uses sport and games to teach life skills to children and their families in 26 developing countries. Call 250-423-4782.
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Room Specials 1622 7th Avenue FERNIE, B.C. Emily Brydon on the Lake Louise podium at last. Photo by R. Brydon
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Emily Brydon Fernie born Emily Brydon made her goal of reaching the podium at the Lake Louise World Cup not once, but twice last weekend, taking silver and bronze.
Congratulations Emily!
6
THE FREE PRESS, Thursday, March 19, 2009
Opinion
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End of the season for the Riders - and me by Rebecca Edwards “You’re going onto the ice at the next Ghostriders game to present the player of the month award,” said my new boss Pierre on my first day as Free Press editor last September. As an introduction to hockey it was pretty extreme. Fresh off the plane from the UK, I had only ever visited an ice rink twice in my life; only ever seen one hockey game - it took me two months of working at The Free Press to stop calling it “ice hockey”. But days later I found myself standing at the edge of the rink with our then-associate editor Caroline ready to take a photo. We were pretty anxious not to embarrass ourselves in front of a 500-strong crowd – we even drew out a diagram of where I should walk to get the right photo angle - it looked like a game plan. The Drive radio reporter Grant Sigaty announced the award over the loudspeaker and I stepped (very) carefully onto the ice to give the first award to Dave McIvor. Next month the winner was local boy Scott Traverse, then Karl Weberg, Dave McIvor again and most recently Torin Brusven. They are always polite and I’m always surprised that they look a little nervous – though not as nervous as me trying to balance on the ice! My award duties took me to more and more games and, since Christmas, my husband Jon and I have become pretty hooked. We’ve met some close friends in the hockey crowd and got to know the many volunteers who make the games happen. From the door staff to the beer stand and the security guys in yellow, there is a huge number of people to be thanked for making each game run smoothly. Then there are the crowds - infamous league-wide for being large, loud and occasionally boosted by members of the poultry family. I’ve never worked out the etiquette of starting the “Let’s go Riders” chant, but it seems like only certain fans are allowed to do it, and everyone just automatically knows how many chants to repeat until it tails off. Near us in the stands sits Benny Mangone – who bangs a drum when the Riders do well and also has a cow bell, although our friend Emma is the only person allowed to borrow it. Bart always sits in front of Benny and they throw comments on the play back and forth to each other. Over on the other side of the rink I met Doug and Wilda Quail - they have had the same seats for years. Sometime in the second period I’ll head down to take some photos at the door between the team boxes where Darren looks after the spare sticks. He’s got the best spot in the house, with the sound of skates scraping the ice and the teams shouting to each other, but you occasionally have to dodge a flying puck or wayward stick. There were a couple of tense times in the early playoffs when everyone in the stands was convinced it would be the final game, but the players managed to turn it around. Tuesday night we knew Nelson were a stronger team, but there was always the hope that Fernie could summon the strength to push them back. It wasn’t to be, and my Ghostriders foam hand and plastic trumpet (yes, I’m such a geek) will now be retired to my desk drawer for the summer - ready for next season. • Good luck to those players - Scott Traverse, Dave McIvor, Torin Brusven and Joe DeLuca - who are leaving the team this season.
Victory on V-Day 2009 I would like to take this opportunity to thank the people of Fernie and area for their participation in the Fernie V-Day production of The Vagina Monologues by Eve Ensler. The cast of women for their wonderful interpretations of the monologues; our sponsors who were the underwriters for the major costs of the production, the production, stage, lighting, sound and front of house crews for making this a well run production, the businesses of Fernie who advertised and sold tickets for us, the media outlets and to all people who attended the production. I heard your laughter, I knew you enjoyed it. I saw your tears, I knew you were moved by it. I heard your comments. I knew it made you think. Your applause and ovations made us know that this was a worthwhile endeavour. That is the purpose of theatre. All of us took a step out of our comfort zone to support women and girls locally and globally who are victims of violence. We, as a society, need to keep doing what we can to put an end to the violence. Your generous support has benefited our Fernie Women’s Resource Centre with over $3,000.00, and the Women of the Democratic Republic of the Congo with over $300.00. We look forward to doing more theatre. We look forward to your participation. That’s what makes a community. Thank you. Lynda Bird, Organizer and Director, V-Day Fernie, 2009
Vote for the valley East Kootenay voters, we all have an opportunity to participate in the next poll to determine the fate of the Flathead. The difference between the upcoming poll and the one Wildsight commissioned this fall is that it will absolutely determine whether we continue to use the Flathead or not. Of course I refer to the provincial election. Wildsight has convinced the local NDP candidate to support the National Park initiative. Our incumbent MLA, Bill Bennett does not support turning the Flathead into a National Park and he believes the majority of his constituents support this position. As a local resident, I am concerned that many voters may not give this decision the consideration it deserves. Much of the reliable information voters require to make an informed decision is not readily available. I want to provide some information about this valley and I trust that voters will consider it reliable. Even the most extreme environmentalist will agree that a strong measure of the “Wildness” of any drainage is whether it supports a healthy population of large carnivores such as Grizzly Bears or Wolves. The Flathead Grizzly Bear population is the most studied mountain grizzly population in British Columbia (since the 1970s) and the population is at or near carrying capacity. Wolves, which were non-existent here since the turn of the century were re-introduced in the 1980s and the Flathead now supports a very healthy wolf population. We need to understand, all of this took place while we “used” the Flathead. We logged, quarried, fished, hunted, trapped
and recreated here for the last 60 years (the road through Harvey Pass was built in 1957). We have proven that residents, working with government, can manage this land-base for the betterment of all. We do not need a National Park in the Flathead. George Wilson Land-Use/Access Committee Chair East Kootenay Wildlife Association
Parting thanks
I would like to say thank you to all the people in Elkford who voted for me in the last municipal election. I did my best to live up to your expectations as your representative. Recently I made the very difficult decision to resign from Council. I have taken employment as the golf course superintendent in another community. This opportunity came along months after the election and was too good to turn down life is full of twists and turns. My wife and I have loved living in Elkford for the last six years and we will cherish our memories of the good times we've had and the good people we've met. The sadness we feel in leaving is tempered by our excitement to start a new life in another small town in the Kootenays. I want to sincerely thank all of the people - the members, the board members, and the employees - at the Mountain Meadows Golf Course. I would also like to thank the Mayor, Council and Staff for the support and guidance they've offered to me as a new councillor. Elkford is a wonderful community and we are truly sad to leave. Craig Stanley Former Elkford Councillor
16
THE FREE PRESS, Thursday, February 26, 2009
Sports
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e n a l T . S . A . F e h t n i Life
Fernie Alpine Ski Team is 207-strong this year, with members aged four to 17. By Rebecca Edwards Free Press Staff
P
owderhounds may have had a disappointing ski season so far, but for the 207 members of Fernie Alpine Ski Team, conditions could hardly have been better. Hard, fast snow and clear skies have given the team of four to 17-year-olds plenty of racing time on the slopes. And, being the team that launched Olympic skier Emily Brydon and Canadian luge team member Alex Gough among others, that means they have been bringing home plenty of medals and trophies. The team hosted the Kootenay Zone Slalom and Giant Slalom last weekend, and walked away with an array of podium finishes. But club president Chris Slubicki says the team philosophy is about more than just winning. “We are about fun on the hill and skiing as a team. Fernie Alpine Ski Community has a lot of social events for kids and parents. “Our mantra is top performance on and off the slopes. We are about doing the best you can – it doesn’t mean winning every race, we focus on kids who want to be better individuals as well as better skiers. “For some kids it is making the Olympics, for some it is just completing the race and that is ok too. Every kid who goes through our program will be a top notch skier – we have had a lot of them join the national team and a number of them come back to us as coaches.” The team coaches kids from their first lesson to the racing gates and another focus is making sure the kids “ski smart, ski safe.” In recent years they have hosted an annual community avalanche presentation at Fernie Community Centre. In 2008 attendance doubled to 230 people – by chance
the event fell on Dec. 29, the day after eight Sparwood snowmobilers were killed in a series of avalanches near Fernie. Currently only 20% of the team skiers live full-time in the Elk Valley, with the majority of the young skiers going to school in Calgary. Slubicki says this is something he wants to change. “We think both the hill and the ski team are great resources for the community and we have made a big effort to try to get more Elk Valley kids into our program. “The Emily Brydon Foundation supports kids in any endeavour if cost is an issue. I will say for sure that if any kid wants to ski with us, we will make sure they can ski. If there is an interest there we will do anything we can.” The team has established a Ski Academy at Fernie Academy, whereby kids who want to perform at a high level have flexible schooling that enables them to train on the hill six days a week. The rest of the team are coached each weekend on the hill by 30 experienced coaches led by head coach Rod Timms. The team is also backed up by an army of volunteers and holds several fundraisers a year, including a recent Valentines dinner and the pre-season ski swap which last year saw a line of skiers that stretched round all four sides of the community centre to get in for ski gear bargains. Currently they are looking to raise $40,000 to build a racer’s hut closer to their home on the Spruce and Kodiak . “They have been excellent training runs,” says Slubicki. “The challenge is that it is far from the day lodge, so the kids spend a lot of their day going there and back. It will be a 24x40ft wooden hut and we have already had people step forward with lumber – we hope to build this summer.” • For more information see www.ferniealpineskiteam.ca
Submitted photo
Race winner at the TECK Kinder/J Slalom and Giant Slalom Feb. 21 - 22, 2009 Saturday, Feb. 21 Giant Slalom, Ladies, K1 GARTNER, Stephanie (Fernie Alpine Ski Team) 49.58 Saturday, Feb. 21 Giant Slalom, Ladies, K1 1 RUN GARTNER, Stephanie (Fernie Alpine Ski Team) 50.85 Saturday, Feb. 21 Slalom, Ladies, K2/J 2 RUN RYTZ, Celine (Fernie Alpine Ski Team) 1:19.15 Saturday, Feb. 21 Slalom, Ladies, K2/J 1 run HONSBERGER, Jamie (Fernie Alpine Ski Team) 37.86 Saturday, Feb. 21 Giant Slalom, Men, K1 FINLEY, Stuart (Fernie Alpine Ski Team) 51.54 Saturday, Feb. 21 Giant Slalom, Men, K1 1 RUN FINLEY, Stuart (Fernie Alpine Ski Team) 51.33 Saturday, Feb. 21 Slalom, Men, K2/J 2 RUN WERRY, Tyler (Fernie Alpine Ski Team) 1:11.51 Saturday, Feb. 21 Slalom, Men, K2/J 1 run WERRY, Tyler (Fernie Alpine Ski Team) 33.68 Saturday, Feb. 21 Giant Slalom, Men, K1 1 RUN LAWRENCE, Mathew (Fernie Alpine Ski Team) 48.60
Saturday, Feb. 21 Giant Slalom, Ladies, K1 1 RUN GARTNER, Stephanie (Fernie Alpine Ski Team) 46.56 Sunday, Feb. 22 Slalom, Ladies, K1 1 RUN GARTNER, Stephanie (Fernie Alpine Ski Team) 37.81 Sunday, Feb. 22 Slalom, Ladies, K1 GARTNER, Stephanie (Fernie Alpine Ski Team) 37.94 Sunday, Feb. 22 Giant Slalom, Ladies, K2/J 1 run HONSBERGER, Jamie (Fernie Alpine Ski Team) 45.57 Sunday, Feb. 22 Giant Slalom, Ladies, K2/J 2 RUN MACLACHLAN, Hallie (Fernie Alpine Ski Team) 1:24.96 Sunday, Feb. 22 Slalom, Men, K1 1 RUN CHORE, Axel (Kimberley North Star Racers) 38.72 Sunday, Feb. 22 Slalom, Men, K1 FINLEY, Stuart (Fernie Alpine Ski Team) 39.64 Sunday, Feb. 22 Giant Slalom, Men, K2/J 1 run WERRY, Tyler (Fernie Alpine Ski Team) 41.72 Sunday, Feb. 22 Giant Slalom, Men, K2/J 2 RUN WERRY, Tyler (Fernie Alpine Ski Team) 1:20.66 Sunday, Feb. 22 Slalom, Ladies, K1 1 RUN BRATTON, Cassandra (Fernie Alpine Ski Team) 36.06 Sunday, Feb. 22 Slalom, Men, K1 ONE RUN TEPPER, Cole (Kimberley North Star Racers) 35.34
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THE FREE PRESS Thursday, February 4, 2010
13
Olympian lugers prepare for Games By Angela Treharne Free Press Staff
T
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wo Olympic athletes who credit Fernie for igniting their passions for Winter sports are Alex Gough and Sam Edney. They will be competing with the Canadian Luge team at the Olympics next month. Alex, 22, is from Calgary but spent every weekend skiing in Fernie Alpine Ski Team when she was growing up. Her parents heard about the sport through teammate Sam Edney’s parents, and signed her up to do a luge camp at Canada Olympic Park when she was 13. “As soon as I did my first run I was hooked,� she said. “It’s just the speed, the rush, it’s addictive. It is a lot of fun and is totally different to any other sport you can do.� Alex will be heading to Whistler on Feb. 4 to compete in her second Olympic games. She represented Canada at the 2006 Games in Torino
Cup events in Oberhof, Germany, was in seventh spot after the opening run, but fell back to 12th place after clocking a two-run time of 1:27.346. Outside of Luge, Alex enjoys skiing, scuba diving, water sports, rock climbing, hiking and playing the guitar. Sam, 25, is also from Calgary but his family bought a house in Fernie Alex Gough is a big hope in 1991 so he has been skifor a medal for Canada. ing here every winter ever Submitted photo since. He calls Fernie his where she was compet- “second, winter home� ing against athletes nearly and is hoping to get back to the mountain after the twice her age at 18. During the 2008-09 cam- Olympics. “I was actually just in paign Alex captured seven top-10 finishes, making her Fernie for Christmas and I a big hope for a medal in try to get there whenever I can,� he said. “It’s like my these Olympic games. “I am really excited to little escape.� Sam started out as a ski take part in the Olympics,� she said. “When I compet- racer at Lake Louise, but ed at Turino I was only 18 competing in the sport and new to competing. I became too expensive. His phys. ed. teacher am really looking forward to racing at home and see- told him about luge and ing what I can do now I am he thought it sounded like fun. “I went along to the more experienced.� Alex, who is current- Learn to Luge camp when I ly competing in World was 14 and I got really into
it,� he said. “I was invited back for a more intensive camp and had so much fun I joined the Calgary Luge Club.� Like Alex, Sam is also getting ready for his second Olympic games after competing in Torino in 2006. He has continued to post his best-ever World Cup results each season since then. Sam’s personal best performances include two 12th-place finishes at a World Cup in Whistler, B.C. last year (and Calgary in 2008), and a ninth-place finish at the World Championships in Germany in 2008. He said luge is one of the most exhilarating experiences a person can have. “It’s all about the speed,� he said. “We can reach around 150 kms an hour, Sam Edney hopes to spend some time in Fernie after the Submitted photo and that’s quite a rush. The Olympics. other big thing for me is the opportunity to travel be better than that? It’s a ling, skiing, golf and mounand experience different unique experience for any tain biking. He just finished competcultures, as well as being athlete and I am so excited about it. It will be the great- ing in the World Cup event able to represent Canada. “The Olympics gives est and proudest moment in Winterberg, Germany, where he finished in 24th me the chance to race in of my life.� During his time off the place on Dec. 10. my backyard. What could ice, Sam enjoys road cyc-
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THE FREE PRESS Thursday, May 20, 2010
Emily Brydon day in Fernie By Rebecca Edwards Free Press Staff
E
mily Brydon chose a word from her British-born mother’s vocabulary to describe how it felt to lead a parade in her honour through her hometown: “Gobsmacked.” “It was unbelievable, it was overwhelming. I never thought anything like that would happen to me or for me. It was a pretty amazing experience,” she told The Free Press afterwards. “I think the community showed its true colours, it was an honour beyond words. Everyone has something special to give. The fact I was honoured for something I love to do is pretty amazing.” Fernie’s Emily Brydon Day celebrations began at 4:30 p.m. last Wednesday when two pipers – including Fernie Alpine Ski Team member Glen Nowicki – started the parade from the College of the Rockies. Mounties Cpl. Andy Veltmeyer and Cst. Kevin Johnston marched in full red serge and were followed by children bearing the flags of Canada and British Columbia. Cheers and applause began as Fernie Fire Dept’s restored 1928 Studebaker fire truck turned the corner onto Second Avenue, with Emily and her mom Rosemary waving from
Emily Brydon (in black) waves to cheering supporters in Fernie from the top of the vintage Studebaker fire truck with her mother Rosemary, Mayor Cindy Corrigan (seated) and Fire fighter Dave Kurschenska. Photo by R. Edwards
the back, Mayor Cindy Corrigan seated in front and Fire Fighter Dave Kurschenska driving. Behind walked dozens of kids who have been helped by the Emily Brydon Youth Foundation, which Brydon later told the crowd she founded after realizing she wanted to produce more from her sport than results. The charity has helped hundreds of children in the Elk Valley to pursue sports, arts and other activities. The parade made its way to the community centre along streets filled on both sides with waving supporters. The Brydons shouted out to those they knew and took special effort to wave to the children in the crowd. At Overwaitea the fire truck slowed down for a crowd of cow bell-wielding supporters, including Annie Cox and Julie Laird
who were wearing t-shirts with a photo of Emily as a child, and the words ‘Go Emily!’ Cox said the group is Emily’s fan club, who attended every Lake Louise World Cup race since she was 18, finally seeing her reach the podium last December with second and third place finishes. At the community centre Emily was piped into the hall, and received a series of honours and tributes. Hallie MacLachlan – a FAST ski racer who has Olympic aspirations of her own – spoke on behalf of kids who benefited from the Emily Brydon Youth Foundation; former FAST coach Jon Blair called Emily “a true inspiration” for the ski racers who followed her and technical delegate Dr Rod Geddis paid tribute to Emily’s late father Bob and mom Rosemary
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The final speech of the evening came from Emily, who said she never thought about ski racing as a career choice. “I did it because I loved it, I didn’t see a future in it; I didn’t think I could be a big shot ski racer and travel and go to Olympics – I just did it because I loved it. The opportunities and doors opened for me.” She added: “I never stopped believing and people around me never ever told me I couldn’t do something. I didn’t know that was an option.” Thanking the organizers, she said: “I am humbled beyond belief, I am so proud to be a Fernieite right now.”
for allowing her to grow Emily also received the up with the opportunities freedom of the City of – and the height genes – to Fernie from Mayor Cindy become a great ski racer. Corrigan, the key to the Max Gartner, program City and her photo will be director of the Canadian placed on the wall of fame Ski Team, paid tribute to at City Hall. Emily’s accomplishments – three Olympics, a World Cup gold and one of the most decorated Canadian females in ski history – and also her inspiration and good humour. Lake Louise World Cup organizer Bruce Hamstead said the volunteers – nicknamed the sled dogs – will miss Emily. As reported in last week’s Free Press, two trails have been renamed to honour Emily – Fernie Alpine Resort’s Spruce run, which is used by FAST each weekend, will now be Emily’s Run. The trail that runs along the river between the bridges in Fernie will be Emily’s fan club wave their cow bells as if in the World Photo by R. Edwards named the Emily Brydon Cup stands at Lake Louise. Trail.
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Elk Valley welcomes the Olympic Torch relay Saturday January 23
Serving the South Country, Fernie, Sparwood, Elkford since 1898
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Benefit game ‘a huge boost’ Alumni game raises $20,000 for ex-Rider By Rebecca Edwards Free Press Staff
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See page 14 for Elkford and Sparwood event details
ormer Fernie Ghostrider Mike Rouselle was given “a huge boost” by watching an alumni benefit game organized for his family, says his father. Mike is in hospital after losing two limbs in a power line accident in November, but surprised everyone – including his dad Cam – by leaving hospital in Calgary to attend the game on Dec. 29. Speaking to The Free Press from Calgary this week, Cam thanked everyone who helped with the sell-out night, which raised $20,000 to help the family. “He was pumped up real good by that night,” said Cam this week. “It was a big boost that really helped him. He is putting what happened behind him and looking forward now. That’s the kind of guy he is, that’s Mikey. “We want to say thank you to everyone for their support – it has been unreal, I can’t put it into words how unbelievable everyone has been.”
Mike Rouselle (centre) with the players at an alumni Ghostriders benefit that raised $20,000 to help his family.
Photo by R. Edwards
Speaking over the loudspeaker at the game, Mike said: “Thank you everyone for your support, this makes me want to get better.” Mike, 30, was electrocuted as he worked on a power line near Hartley Lake in November. He was carried down from the pole by other workers but was
so badly burned doctors had to amputate his arm and leg. Cam said this week that his son is undergoing daily physiotherapy at Calgary Foothills Hospital but is allowed to return to the house his family has rented in Calgary at weekends. He added: “Doctors say he will be able to walk
when he is fitted with a prosthesis so we just have to wait until his leg is healed. It’s a waiting game now.” Mike’s wife Brett and son Jonas, 11 months, are staying in Calgary with his parents and his daughter Montanna, five, is with family in Jaffray so she can attend school.
See page 10-11 for photos and game report