Friday, May 18, 2001
Three Canadians Salt Lake City bound
By KAREN CLARK -- Calgary Sun
There are no glass slippers in this story.
But even without a wicked step mother and a handsome prince, the history of snowboarding in Canada has some elements of a fairy tale.
"It's a Cinderella story because we made it in the Games as a full medal sport in our debut (in 1998)," said Adam Faithfull, president of the Canadian Snowboard Federation. "And it's a Cinderella story for Canada because we won a gold medal at the first Olympics. It's definitely an amazing thing to do that."
Yesterday, the CSF named Jasey-Jay Anderson, 26, Natasza Zurek, 23, and Brett Carpentier, 25, to the 2002 Salt Lake City Olympic team. And if Faithfull's predictions are accurate, there could be another chapter in this fairy tale.
"At the 2002 Games I am really confident we'll come home with more than just one medal," said Faithfull. "Jasey is definitely the favourite for the gold. Brett had a shot to win in 1998, and he's our strongest, most consistent rider. Natasza is the most talented female in the halfpipe in the world -- she's leaps and bounds above the rest."
Faithfull isn't exaggerating about their talents.
The boarders had to earn two, top-two finishes on the World Cup Circuit this season to get the early Olympic nod -- the rest of Canada's snowboard team will be announced on January 13.
Anderson is the 2001 world champ in giant slalom and the giant slalom, snowboard cross and overall FIS tour winner for 2000-2001.
Zurek was unbeaten in the halfpipe in February and March and she won the pre-Olympic World Cup in Park City, Utah.
Carpentier won two World Cup silver medals in the halfpipe this season while spending considerable time filming a snowboard action movie --called Desired Effect -- with his friends.
"It's a huge relief to be on the team officially," said Anderson, who lives in St-Jovite, Que. "In 1998, it was rushed. We didn't qualify until one month before. Now it's a done deal. It's great."
Having secured an Olympic berth takes a lot of pressure off Zurek who tore the ACL in her right knee during a photo shoot last week.
"The timing of the injury is not too bad because I have a lot of time to do rehabilitation," said the Polish native who lives in Vancouver. "But it sucks because I want to ride this summer and learn new tricks and now I won't get the chance. But it's nice to know you're on the team eight months in advance because it takes some of the pressure off."
After a ninth-place finish in Nagano, Carpentier says "nothing less" than the podium will do for Salt Lake City.
"I have more experience than four years ago and that's very important," said the St-Jerome, Que., native. "I've definitely progressed and learned a lot of new maneuvers."
Canada could potentially have four Olympic spots in each of the men's and women's halfpipe and parallel giant slalom events.
Right now, Canada has a full team qualified in both of the men's events, but only two in the women's parallel giant slalom and one in the halfpipe.
"We have one more World Cup to try and to secure more spots," said Faithfull. "But in 1998 we had no women in the giant slalom so we are definitely moving forward."
2002 Games Snowboarding Coverage
