Wednesday, February 20, 2002
Emily shows gold mettle
By ERIC FRANCIS -- Calgary Sun
SALT LAKE CITY -- Emily Brydon's Olympic hopes and dreams have little to do with how she crosses the finish line in today's women's slalom.
Just crossing it is all that matters.
Having blown out both knees in two separate incidents over the last 10 months, the fact she'll even be at Deer Valley Resort today is a victory in itself for the 21-year-old Fernie, B.C., native.
"The real triumph is just standing in the start gate," said Brydon, whose season was written off by many when she tore her knee in a November training run.
"I couldn't even walk under two months ago. I put everything into perspective and just the fact that I attained something many people didn't even believe I could is kind of like my little medal."
A terrific all-around skier who qualified for every alpine event in these Games, Brydon was ordered by doctors to skip the treacherous downhill, super-G and combined events. Instead she'll limit her racing to today's less knee-buckling slalom and Friday's giant slalom.
"My track record isn't so good right now," smiled Brydon. "I don't want to push my luck too much."
Prior to her first major injury almost a year ago, Brydon had burst onto the World Cup scene with a third-place finish in Switzerland followed by eight more top-15 results in speed and technical events.
Blessed with pure physical talent, strength and a work ethic that has propelled her to the Olympics four years ahead of schedule, she represents the future of Canadian women's skiing. She's determined not to let her latest setbacks dampen her spirits.
"It's been a huge mental battle," Brydon said. "Some days you ask, 'Why am I doing this?' But I've dealt with wondering why this happened to me.
"I've worked so hard at being healthy the last year and I just want to be healthy."
Attending the opening ceremonies where she had a chance meeting with U.S. President George Bush, Brydon returned to her Canmore home for more training and two FIS races in which she finished first and second. Regardless of her performance here, team leader Joze Sparovec insists this will be a rewarding experience for her.
"It's important for our young skiers like Emily to be here and experience the environment and pressure of the Olympics so she can target the 2006 Games," Sparovec said. "It's too bad she was injured because she's developed enough to already be a contender."
Brydon knows once she steps into the starters hut, her competitive fires will burn but reminds herself she has to be realistic about medal chances.
"I haven't raced since February 2001, so I have to keep everything in perspective," Brydon said. "Most people figured this season should have been a write-off but there were some people who obviously didn't believe that. It was the team had the faith in me, that I could get ready for the Olympics."
2002 Games Alpine Skiing Coverage
