THUNDER BAY – Carson Smith has been skiing since he was three years old, but he’s never had as much fun as he’s had this week at the 2020 Special Olympics Canada Winter Games.
It’s been a huge confidence boost getting to the Games, the Thunder Bay skier said.
“The nationals is a huge step forward for me. I’m making really big strides as both a person and a skier and also in my Special Olympics community, too,” Smith said on Friday, after tackling the slalom course at Loch Lomond Ski Area.
“I’m gaining a lot of experience at the nationals too, and I’m happy to be here representing my province.”
While the results haven’t been what he’d hoped for, Smith said he’s still pretty happy with the way things have unfolded.
“Let’s just say it’s been going pretty well.”
Smith said he’s always known skiing was one of his top sports, something he was really good at from an early age.
“I started to pick up on it really quickly and it became my sport,” he said.
Seeing hundreds of athletes from across the country, and hundreds more family and friends of the athletes out on the hill cheering everyone on is uplifting, Smith added.
“It feels amazing. I’m just glad my family is here and they get to see me compete and they just give me the energy to keep me moving forward.”
Team Ontario teammate Amy Cizmar has had a spectacular couple of days on the slope, proudly wearing two silver medals and one bronze around her neck.
The Thunder Bay skier said when she’s in the start gate, there’s absolutely no fear in her eyes.
Like her teammate, she’s happy to have the chance to compete in familiar territory.
“It feels great to be in my hometown. It’s a different mountain and different times, but hey, there’s not a mountain I can’t conquer,” Cizmar said.
Winning isn’t everything, but her medal collection does make it that much more worthwhile.
Doing it in front of familiar faces made it even better, she said.
“Yeah, I had my whole family out,” she said.
Double-gold winner Alisha Windsor, who hails from North Bay, Ont., said having a event like the Special Olympics Canada Winter games is an awesome way to put her skiing skills to the test.
“Competing against all of Canada is amazing. I never thought I’d be at this point,” said Windsor, who captured top spot in the super G and giant slalom competitions.
“I’ve done really well. I’ve tried to stay focused and tried to concentrate on my race. I’ve tried not to think about all these people. This is my race, it’s my time to do my thing.”
British Columbia’s Cory Duhaime was also racing on Friday and said he’s having the time of his life, not to mention being a little surprised at the course.
“It’s been great,” the Tswwassen, B.C. native. “I expected a small hill, but I was surprised at how great the hill has been and how big it’s been.”
The Games competition wraps up on Saturday.
