Alison Jackson Wins Paris-Roubaix Femmes-A Dream Come True

Lorna Hamilton Reporter

Vermilionite Alison Jackson has won the Paris-Roubaix Femmes in France, making her dreams a reality. The thirty-four-year-old cyclist pulled away from the pursuing pack and remained composed on the velodrome, a defining moment in her career. Jackson is the third woman and the first Canadian to win the esteemed one-day race which was first run in 1896, making it the oldest professional road cycling race. The race route is 145-kilometres.

Returning to the EF Education-TIBCOSVB team this year, Jackson’s victory was celebrated with a dance, like her viral dances on TikTok. In an emotional statement, she said, “It’s a dream come true… I dream of winning. A lot of times all those dreams have stayed a dream. It’s unreal to make it happen in real life.

I have few words.”

Jackson’s victory was the result of her unwavering trust in herself saying, “You either don’t ride and you lose, or you ride hard and you have a chance. I trusted myself and my passion and it turned out with a win. I wanted to be part of the action; I wanted to be ahead of the race.” Her passion and heart led her to take the lead and stay ahead of the race.

In a race that was made even more challenging because it had rained, Jackson noted that avoiding bad luck was crucial, saying, “When the move went, I was waiting and available and wanted to ride it.” She held off fierce competitors such as Lotte Kopecky, Elisa Longo Borghini, and Marianne Voss, all considered big hitters in the world of racing.

Since Jackson’s cycling career started she has finished 32nd at the 2020 Summer Olympics and have won both the Canadian National Road Race Championships and National Time Trial Championships, as well as dozens of top-10 finishes in both European and North American events.

Jackson’s victory at the ParisRoubaix Femmes shows the power of determination and the strength of the human spirit. Her triumph is a personal accomplishment, and shows that one should never give up on their dreams and never give up on what they believe in.

“This race represents one of the most prized achievements for cyclist. My whole career has been trying to win big at bike races like this. It’s really hard to do and pretty rare to be the winner. This is eight years of my life working up to something like this. It’s so satisfying,” said Jackson in a recent interview.

Dawn Hames Columnist

With spring upon us, we are looking forward to warm sunshine, the first rain and beautiful green grass. Our taste buds begin to move away from hearty cooked meals and towards fresh veggies. These are very easy to make and are filled with delicious fresh vegetables. Cut the carrot, cucumber, red or yellow pepper into matchstick pieces to roll up into the rice paper. Depending on

Fresh Spring Rolls

the season you can add fresh herbs as well.

Fresh Spring Rolls

1 package of round rice paper

Cooked vermicelli rice noodles

Lettuce

Carrot Cucumber

Red or yellow pepper

Green onion (chopped)

Radish (thinly sliced and then halved)

Salt to sprinkle

Cooked shrimp (optional)

Avocado (optional)

Cabbage, red or green (optional)

Cilantro (optional) Cut the carrot, cucumber, pepper into matchstick sizes, as long in length as you want your spring roll to be. To use rice paper wet in a plate or pie plate of water, for 30 seconds to 1 minute. Transfer to another large dinner plate and add lettuce torn to 1 and half inch by 3 – 4 inches on top of the rice wrapper, about a quarter of the way down. Add a spoonful of noodles, and matchsticks of carrot, cucumber, red pepper, and radish. You may add sliced onions and a sprinkle of salt. Roll from the top quarter over the filling, folding