News

Paralympic champion Woolstencroft retiring from Canadian Para-Alpine Ski Team

Wednesday, 16 June 2010 17:00

Three-time Paralympian Lauren Woolstencroft retiring after 12 seasons with national para-alpine program

AUDIO FROM LAUREN WOOLSTENCROFT CONFERENCE CALL:
Lauren Woolstencroft on retiring...

Lauren Woolstencroft on her impact on Paralympic sport... 
Lauren Woolstencroft on being a role model...  
Lauren Woolstencroft on the evolution of her sport in Canada... 


CALGARY, AB (June 17, 2010) - Three-time Paralympian Lauren Woolstencroft (North Vancouver, BC) is retiring after 12 seasons with the Canadian Para-Alpine Ski Team.

Woolstencroft won five gold medals at the 2010 Vancouver Paralympic Games last March, making her one of the most decorated female athletes from any country at a single Winter Paralympic Games. She won a total of ten Paralympic Winter Games medals during her career.

"I'm very happy. I am making the right decision. It's a hard decision though as ski racing has been such a huge part of my life for so long" said Woolstencroft who, along with swimmer Stephanie Dixon and athletics champion Chantal Petitclerc, are the only Canadian women to earn five gold medals in a single Paralympics. "It's been a great 12 years with the team and I'll miss it very much - however I know I'll stay involved with the sport for the rest of my life."

Woolstencroft, who competed in the women's standing category, was born missing her left arm below the elbow as well as both legs below the knees. Over her impressive career, Woolstencroft was crowned IPC World Champion eight times, has four IPC World Cup overall Crystal Globes, over 50 IPC World Cup wins and a remarkable 19 Canadian Championship victories.

"I want to thank my sponsors Bombardier, Singleton Urquhart LLP & Marker Volkl Canada, Alpine Canada Alpin, my family and long-time boyfriend Derek Uddenberg and everyone that supported me throughout the years. I especially want to thank my teammates and coaches, who I look up too and who became my family, I will definitely miss them," said the seven-time Canadian Para-Alpine Athlete of the Year.

"Lauren Woolstencroft is an exceptional athlete and a remarkable individual," said John Paul Macdonald, Senior Vice President, Human Resources and Public Affairs, Bombardier Inc. "A true inspiration, Lauren has brilliantly shown that great things can be achieved through determination and hard work. Bombardier is pleased to have supported her throughout the last four years. We wish her success in her career as an engineer and in her future endeavours."

Woolstencroft completed a Bachelor's Degree of Engineering (Electrical) with Distinction from the University of Victoria in August 2005. She currently works at BC Hydro in Vancouver, BC as an engineer.

"This is definitely a big loss for the CPAST team. Lauren has done so much for the para-alpine sport. She was, and will still be, one of the greatest ambassadors the Paralympic movement has ever had," said CPAST Athletic Director Brianne Law.

"Lauren was a fierce competitor and was never happy unless she gave everything she had on race day. She is an extraordinary woman who managed being a full-time athlete and full-time engineer for BC Hydro. Not many people can say that much," added Law. "I want to thank Lauren for her dedication and leadership. She had a tremendous career and will be remembered as one of the best, I am sure she has no regrets."

The CPAST summer training team will be announced later this month. The CPAST team is scheduled to open its first training camp of the season on June 24 in Whistler, BC.

ABOUT ALPINE CANADA ALPIN
Alpine Canada Alpin (ACA) is the governing body for alpine ski racing in Canada with more than 50,000 athletes, coaches, officials and volunteer members and over 200,000 supporting members. ACA manages the high performance programs for the athletes of the Canadian Alpine Ski Team and the Canadian Para-Alpine Ski Team who represent Canada throughout the world. For more information on Alpine Canada Alpin, visit www.canski.org.

Follow Canada's Alpine Ski Teams on Facebook and Twitter.

• Sophie Pilon
  E-mail: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
  Phone: 403-777-3650
  Job Title: Coordinator, PR and Media
  Entreprise/Association: Alpine Canada Alpin