Canada Games nerve-wracking for athletes – and their folks!
Posted Feb 17, 2011 05:56:24 AM.
This article is more than 5 years old.
High-level competition like the Canada Games is a intense experience for a young athlete – but possibly twice as hard for parents and family watching from the sidelines.
This is especially true for spectators watching high-risk sports like the skiing aerials.
Athletes hurl down a hill at 60 kilometers an hour then launch themselves into the air to twist, turn and flip before landing in an area about the size of a living room.
At Wentworth on Wednesday, the raucus crowd routinely fell silent as each skier came off the ramp, as dozens of anxious parents held their breath and prayed for a safe landing.
Tom had a son and a daughther competing Wednesday and says he copes by just keeping it in perspective.
“I worry about them any time, I worry about them when they go to the corner store for a litre of milk, though it’s a little different than that,” he said. “So yeah, you cringe, but you have to have faith in the coaching.”
David Pawlaski, who travelled from Alberta to watch his son Matthew, says the coaching and preparation helps put his mind at ease.
“He’s getting excellent coaching and he’s very athletic and I know that he does what he’s capable of doing and gets coached for what he needs to learn,” he said.
Matthew, fresh off a run down the hill, gave away his Dad’s brave facade when asked who gets more nervous on competition day.
“Probably Dad, absolutely” he said as a red-faced David chuckled away.
“I’m completely relaxed,” protested David. “He’s young, he’ll heal easily.”
Cathy, in the stands to support her daughter, says there’s no question about who gets more nervous on competition day.
“Mom, definitely,” she said. “Amy just gives it her all and isn’t concerned about the consequences.”
Sebastien Berthiaume of Team Yukon says his parents have gone with the “if you can’t beat ’em, join ’em” philosophy.
“They think it’s dangerous, but since I like it, they like it too,” he said.
British Columbia dominated the competition, winning gold in both the men’s and women’s aerials.
