Originally published on My Life Is Like A Song on February 15, 2011
For the past 13 years, Germany has won every women's luge World Cup event...that's 105 races in a row!
The streak ended on the weekend when Alex Gough of Calgary became the first Canadian woman to win a World Cup luge event.
She's had a few 3rd place finishes this year including a bronze at the World Championships.
At this race, she was first with Germany coming in 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 6th.
Wishing Alex continued success!!
When I attended the 2010 Vancouver Olympics, I was in awe at the Opening Ceremony and lucky enough to witness Canada's first gold medal on home soil. This magical experience has ignited my passion for the Olympics even more. I want to follow Olympic sports and athletes year round not just every four years. This blog is the continuation of my Olympic dream. Follow me on Twitter @olympichearts
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
Erik Guay - Downhill World Champion
Originally published on My Life Is Like A Song on February 15, 2011
Erik Guay has added another achievement to his resume: World Downhill Champion. On the weekend, he won the downhill at the World Championships.
Last year he won the the overall Super-G title. I wrote about that here and then when I met him, I wrote about that experience here. The only thing missing on his resume now is an Olympic medal.
The World Championships are held every two years. In 2009, Didier Cuche was second to a different Canadian: Jon Kucera. When I met him this past fall (with Erik Guay), I posted his winning run. You can see it here. With Kucera still not recovered from his broken leg, it left Guay and the rest of the Canadian team to try to defend his title.
Erik Guay did just that with a superb run:
He was 10th out of the start gate. Christof Innerhofer had raced just before him beating the previous best time by more than 1 second. Guay beat his time by 0.76 seconds. Then he waited as the world's other top skiers each had a turn to beat his time. Didier Cuche was the only one who got close. He finished second three tenths of a second behind.
I'm thankful that it was televised even if it was one day later. It was great to see Erik at the top of the podium singing O Canada.
Congratulations to Erik and best of luck in his quest for an Olympic medal!!
Erik Guay has added another achievement to his resume: World Downhill Champion. On the weekend, he won the downhill at the World Championships.
Last year he won the the overall Super-G title. I wrote about that here and then when I met him, I wrote about that experience here. The only thing missing on his resume now is an Olympic medal.
The World Championships are held every two years. In 2009, Didier Cuche was second to a different Canadian: Jon Kucera. When I met him this past fall (with Erik Guay), I posted his winning run. You can see it here. With Kucera still not recovered from his broken leg, it left Guay and the rest of the Canadian team to try to defend his title.
Erik Guay did just that with a superb run:
He was 10th out of the start gate. Christof Innerhofer had raced just before him beating the previous best time by more than 1 second. Guay beat his time by 0.76 seconds. Then he waited as the world's other top skiers each had a turn to beat his time. Didier Cuche was the only one who got close. He finished second three tenths of a second behind.
I'm thankful that it was televised even if it was one day later. It was great to see Erik at the top of the podium singing O Canada.
Congratulations to Erik and best of luck in his quest for an Olympic medal!!
What A Weekend!
Originally published on My Life Is Like A Song on February 15, 2011
It has been an incredible weekend for Canadians. For those not interested in the details, here is a summary. I will write individual posts to follow of each achievement.
Erik Guay won the World Championships in the downhill. Last year he won the overall Super-G title. I wrote about that here and then when I met him, I wrote about that experience here. The only thing missing on his resume is an Olympic medal.
Alex Gough became the first Canadian to win a World Cup luge race.
Milos Raonic won his first ATP title at the San Jose SAP Open. Last month he had an incredible fourth round result at the Australian Open that I wrote about here.
Arcade Fire won the coveted Best Album at the Grammy Awards. Other Canadians have won the Best Album Award in the past, but they were more mainstream acts. It is incredible that Arcade Fire who are far from mainstream would win this award.
Last, but not least ;-) Jacques Villeneuve won his first race in the Andros Trophy ice racing series holding off Alain Prost. I was thrilled this morning to find a website that showed his race as well as the congratulations he receives at the end.
Quite the weekend!
It has been an incredible weekend for Canadians. For those not interested in the details, here is a summary. I will write individual posts to follow of each achievement.
Erik Guay won the World Championships in the downhill. Last year he won the overall Super-G title. I wrote about that here and then when I met him, I wrote about that experience here. The only thing missing on his resume is an Olympic medal.
Alex Gough became the first Canadian to win a World Cup luge race.
Milos Raonic won his first ATP title at the San Jose SAP Open. Last month he had an incredible fourth round result at the Australian Open that I wrote about here.
Arcade Fire won the coveted Best Album at the Grammy Awards. Other Canadians have won the Best Album Award in the past, but they were more mainstream acts. It is incredible that Arcade Fire who are far from mainstream would win this award.
Last, but not least ;-) Jacques Villeneuve won his first race in the Andros Trophy ice racing series holding off Alain Prost. I was thrilled this morning to find a website that showed his race as well as the congratulations he receives at the end.
Quite the weekend!
Monday, February 14, 2011
Supporting Athletes
Originally published on My Life Is Like A Song on February 14, 2011
It was a year ago that Alexandre Bilodeau became the first Canadian to win a gold medal on home soil.
He began our most successful games winning more gold medals than any other country at a Winter Olympics.
For every gold medal winner, there are other athletes who don't reach the top of the podium, but may reach a personal best. Some may have an off day that breaks their heart. Most (hopefully all) give the best that they have to give that day. Some win, some don't.
Whether they win or not, our support can mean a lot to them. Last week as I was reminiscing about the Olympics, I remembered an athlete saying that even a small amount can make the difference between a good meal and an ok meal. I can't remember who said it, but I didn't forget it although I didn't know how I could help.
A few days later, I was catching up on my RSS feeds and read this article by Randy Starkman in The Toronto Star. It was too bad that I didn't read it the day he wrote it. It was the last day for donations to Canadian Athlete Fund to be matched.
The cool thing about Canadian Athlete Fund is that you can choose to find out who was the recipient of your donation. That gives you an extra reason to cheer for them as well as to donate more often to help more athletes.
Since then, I received an email from the Canadian Olympic Committee. They also have a fund that helps athletes. You can get more information or donate here.
The Canadian Tourism Commission is donating one dollar to Olympic athletes for every person that clicks like on their facebook page.
Before the Olympics began last year, all I dreamed of was for a single gold medal. I didn't want to be the country that hosted three times without a gold medal. As excited as we were last year for each gold medal; for me, it doesn't matter whether we ever come close to matching that magic again. We did it at home and it was unforgettable.
All I want is for our athletes to do their best. This includes having the time and energy to train as best as they can. That's not to say that I won't be cheering and hoping for gold. I may shed a tear if my favourite falls short, but if our athletes have performed to the best of their ability that day, it's all we can ask for.
Although some athletes have sponsors and can train full time; most amateur athletes don't have that luxury. Many work part time in order to support their passion and their dream.
A single donation from a Canadian fan may not seem like it can make a difference for our athletes, but donations from thousands can make a huge difference.
It was a year ago that Alexandre Bilodeau became the first Canadian to win a gold medal on home soil.
He began our most successful games winning more gold medals than any other country at a Winter Olympics.
For every gold medal winner, there are other athletes who don't reach the top of the podium, but may reach a personal best. Some may have an off day that breaks their heart. Most (hopefully all) give the best that they have to give that day. Some win, some don't.
Whether they win or not, our support can mean a lot to them. Last week as I was reminiscing about the Olympics, I remembered an athlete saying that even a small amount can make the difference between a good meal and an ok meal. I can't remember who said it, but I didn't forget it although I didn't know how I could help.
A few days later, I was catching up on my RSS feeds and read this article by Randy Starkman in The Toronto Star. It was too bad that I didn't read it the day he wrote it. It was the last day for donations to Canadian Athlete Fund to be matched.
The cool thing about Canadian Athlete Fund is that you can choose to find out who was the recipient of your donation. That gives you an extra reason to cheer for them as well as to donate more often to help more athletes.
Since then, I received an email from the Canadian Olympic Committee. They also have a fund that helps athletes. You can get more information or donate here.
The Canadian Tourism Commission is donating one dollar to Olympic athletes for every person that clicks like on their facebook page.
Before the Olympics began last year, all I dreamed of was for a single gold medal. I didn't want to be the country that hosted three times without a gold medal. As excited as we were last year for each gold medal; for me, it doesn't matter whether we ever come close to matching that magic again. We did it at home and it was unforgettable.
All I want is for our athletes to do their best. This includes having the time and energy to train as best as they can. That's not to say that I won't be cheering and hoping for gold. I may shed a tear if my favourite falls short, but if our athletes have performed to the best of their ability that day, it's all we can ask for.
Although some athletes have sponsors and can train full time; most amateur athletes don't have that luxury. Many work part time in order to support their passion and their dream.
A single donation from a Canadian fan may not seem like it can make a difference for our athletes, but donations from thousands can make a huge difference.
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