Upon our return from Europe the Canadian Europa Cup team were scheduled to forerun the final World Cup races being held in Whistler, BC and Calgary, AB respectively. Forerunning – for those who are unsure – is what it’s called when they send down athletes ahead of the racers during both official training and for the men’s and women’s race runs. These sliders are used to test the push grooves (which means we cannot steer until we are in the first curve), check ice and track conditions, and double check the timing eyes. While we ourselves are not considered a part of the actual races, the opportunity to stand next to the best sliders in the world and take on the same conditions at these tracks is most certainly more than just “training”.
In the company of greatness … I have never been one to find myself star-stuck. I didn’t idolize movie stars or musicians when I was younger, and the idea of considering athletes “larger than life” had always struck me as a bit odd. Don’t however, confuse my lack of open jaw reactions for a lack of respect. I give every single person who is challenging their dream my complete and total adoration – as a choice such as this means a great deal of struggle; often for very minimal reward.
That being said, watching the women and men with the largest names in my sport – I am very often beyond impressed. Perhaps it has to do with the fact that with less than 3 years to my name in Skeleton, I feel I have a good grasp on just how much harder this all is and will be… despite how easy it might look on television. I maintain the belief however, that these incredible sliders were all once as wide eyed and bushy tailed as I likely seem. That these elite athletes are still sisters, brothers, mothers, fathers, friends and everyday people. They are excitable, they have doubts, they get scared and nervous, they trust their instincts, they question everything, and at the end of the day they call the ones they love. But when the time comes and they are standing on that line, preparing to hurl themselves 130 km/h head-first each and every one of them believe – they believe in themselves and they believe in what they are doing … they have to … and so they all push forward.
So, while these last two weeks have seen me on the ice next to the fastest sliders in the world: allowing me to gage in numbers where I might stack up. It was off the ice that I learned the most. Thanks in part to my outgoing nature, and a couple of instant friendships I had the chance to speak candidly with a few of the top performing international Skeleton sliders on both the men and women’s side from a handful of different nations. I was pleased to learn my instincts about our similarities were right. While the back stories and details were always unique to each individual, and sometimes the level of heartache and challenge was elevated, their lives all shared one common thread: true passion.
Doing something, regardless of how easy or hard it becomes – but instead because you sincerely love it – is much more than a cliched pipe dream. And in our world of Skeleton – it is a daily reality.
No matter whether you are holding onto to the very top or climbing your way up from the bottom this life requires passion. I witnessed it through both success and failure: In the eyes of a teammate conquering a giant hurdle, in the moment of a messed up run, in the smile of a veteran attaining the ultimate goal, and in the glimmer of a speeding bullet. No one got to where they are because they thought they were entitled, no one got to where they are without a fight and no one will stay where they are without putting every last drop of blood, sweat and tears into creating that outcome.
These athlete to athlete conversations were incredibly honest, surprisingly reassuring and totally humbling.
The second half of this season has given me a great deal to think about. And while I actually thought I was already analyzing far too much, it turns out I was only scratching the surface … all the same … I am not alone.
The two remaining races for me this season are our 2011/12 Alberta Provincials and Canadian National Championships. I will be preparing diligently for both.
“Anyone can dabble, but once you’ve made that commitment, your blood has that particular thing in it, and it’s very hard for people to stop you.”
It is always inspiring to read your writing Cass. So much of what you do relies on a mix of love and willpower (both of which you have in abundance).
Much love,
G