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TEAM ALBERTA

Special Olympics skiers training at Canyon for nationals

Jan 7, 2020 | 2:42 PM

UPDATE: Due to weather concerns the Team Alberta Alpine Skiing training camp has been postponed to February 1.

Team Alberta alpine skiers are racing downhill on their way towards the 2020 Special Olympics Canada Winter Games with their sport-specific training camp this weekend.

“Team Alberta athletes make a commitment to train year round leading up to National Games,” said Jodi Flanagan, Chef de Mission for Team Alberta. “These athletes are very dedicated to their team, their sport, and are always looking to improve their performance.”

On January 11, Team Alberta alpine skiers from Calgary, Drumheller, Edmonton, and Stirling will take part in training camp at Canyon Ski Hill east of Red Deer from 8:45 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

All six alpine skiers and their coaches will meet for on-hill training, fitness testing, mental training, and team bonding.

“Team Alberta will host training camps in each of the eight sports over the course of the year,” said Flanagan. “These camps provide opportunity for the athletes (who may live in different regions) and coaches to get to know each other as well as working on some technical and physical training. SOA partners with ASDC as well as other sport scientists to help athletes and coaches with their further development and success.”

Team Alberta will represent the province at the 2020 Special Olympics Canada Winter Games in Thunder Bay, Ontario from February 25 to 29.

Based on the results from the 2019 Special Olympics Alberta Winter Games in Calgary, 132 athletes, coaches and mission staff throughout the province were chosen to represent Alberta at the National Games.

“Athletes lives attending a national games are forever changed by the skills, friendships, and confidence they develop through this exciting experience. It is pure joy to witness their growth,” says Sallie Szanik, Team Alberta mission staff.

(media release)