Ashleigh McIvor

OLYMPIC GOLD MEDALIST

Motto:

"In it to Pin it"

The Rundown:

D.O.B.: September 15, 1983
Place of birth: Vancouver, BC
Where you grew up: Whistler, BC
Current hometown: Whistler, BC
Where you train: Whistler, BC
Website/Blog: www.ashleighmcivor.com

EQUIPMENT

Skis: Stockli
Boots: Lange
Poles: Gabel
Helmet: Giro
Goggles: Oakley

Headgear:

ShoulderPatch:

Current international standing and recent results:

Current World Cup Point Ranking: 2nd
2009 World Cup Point Ranking: 5th
2009 FIS Point Standings: 2nd
2009 World Cup Champion
Member of the Canadian Ski Cross Olympic Team

2010

4th - World Cup, Lake Placid, USA
2nd - World Cup, Blue Mountain, CAN
3rd - World Cup, Alpe d’Huez, FRA
1st - World Cup, Les Contamines, FRA
2nd - World Cup, San Candido, ITA

2009 World Champion

9th - World Cup Finals, La Plagne, FRA
10th - World Cup, Meiringen, SUI
DNF - World Cup, Grindelwald, SUI
1st - World Championships, Inawashiro JPN
3rd - World Cup, Branaes, SWE
4th - World Cup, Myrkdalen-Voss, NOR
2nd - World Cup, Cypress Mt. CAN
7th - World Cup, Lake Placid, USA
29th - World Cup, Les Contamines, FRA
2nd - World Cup, Flaine, FRA
30th - World Cup, St. Johan, AUT

2008

4th - FIS World Cup, Les Contamines, FRA
5th - FIS World Cup, Flaine, FRA

One on One with ...

What are your goals for 2010?

Just having the privilege of being able to compete in the Olympics in my hometown is going to be the most amazing honour of my life. That has been my #1 goal. I hope I can get myself on the podium so that Canada, and more specifically, Whistler, will be well represented, but the beauty of Ski Cross comes from its unpredictability... anything can happen. I'm just doing everything I can to be dialed in on the aspects that I have control over. It is actually just as important to me to be on top in the overall standings as it is to do well in the Olympics. The Olympics are just one race in the middle of our whole season. Athletes who win overall titles are those who are consistently skiing well on all sorts of courses in all sorts of conditions; it says a lot more about their ability.

How did you get into your sport (i.e. other Olympians in family?)
My parents met skiing, and moved to Whistler right after they got married. I started skiing when I was 2 (down our carpeted stairs in my undies). I had raced alpine, skied a ton of big mountain, and ridden lots of DH on my bike, right on my friends' back tires, so Ski Cross was perfect for me. I guess it was peer pressure that got me involved in the sport. I had friends convincing me that I could compete with the girls who were winning. My grandmother was a speed skater, almost at an Olympic level, and my Dad was a talented ski racer. He was not able to pursue his dreams due to financial constraints, so he and my Mom did everything within their power to help us with ours. My Mom even worked two jobs to help put us through the Whistler Mountain Ski Club. I think my Dad was living vicariously through my sister and me!

Describe a bit about your hometown, about how you got started there in your sport.
Outdoor recreation is literally a way of life in Whistler. It's what I grew up with. Whistler is like a giant playground with so many options for sport that it's hard to find time to fit everything in. I love it!

How were you supported by your community growing up?
Whistler is just full of healthy, talented, fun-loving outdoor enthusiasts. The community is keen to support those of us who show potential in our sport. Being the #1 rated resort in North America, we were fortunate enough to always have the best coaches to work with. People don't realize how much time we ski racers actually spent with our coaches, growing up. My mom always says that it takes a whole community to raise a child, and there are so many great people in Whistler who played a huge role in my Olympic quest. My teachers at Whistler Secondary were very accommodating, enabling and encouraging me to excel in both sport and academics. Local shops like Fanatyk Co., and ski or bike reps have always helped me with equipment, and Whistler Blackcomb sets me up with Ski and Bike Park passes. Whistler is an amazing place to grow up and I really feel that the community is behind me.

What is it about your hometown that inspired you in your sport?
Whistler's "Never-never land" characteristics are what inspired me to make excelling at my sport a priority. I noticed at a young age that being passionate about something that encourages healthy living and an active, happy lifestyle allows you to never grow old. The athletes in Whistler demonstrated the values of hard work and perseverance instilled by sport. Sport teaches us about self-discipline and teamwork. It allows us to win and lose with dignity. What great values to pass down to the children of the community.

How were you impacted by where you grew up?
Growing up in Whistler had a huge impact on my ability to seize this opportunity and make the most of it. I had the world's best playground/training grounds right in my backyard.

How would you describe yourself?
I grew up chasing the boys down mountains on bikes and skis. I'm very competitive and I thrive on adrenaline.

What is one of the biggest challenges you've faced in reaching your goals in this sport?
Injuries. This is a rough sport, and then I go downhill mountain biking in the summer so I can break more bones in the off-season. I've actually stayed off my DH bike for the last few years, just to minimize the risk. It's also been very tough being on the road all winter, missing my friends, family and everyday life, with no real place to call home, even when I'm in town. Training for the Olympics is a HUGE commitment, but all of my hard work seems to being paying off.

What do you consider of one of your biggest accomplishments to date?
Winning the World Championships at Inawashiro, Japan in March 2009, despite hooking my tip in the time trial and qualifying dead last. Prior to that, I would have said placing 4th and 5th in the Les Contamines and Flaine World Cup races two seasons ago with a wrecked shoulder. I was winning the semi-finals in Les Contamines by so much that I managed to hold on to my lead even after dislocating my shoulder part way down the course. I couldn't race the finals because it took so long to get my shoulder back in, so I got 4th by default. The 5th place result was two days later with no training, and one-armed starts.

What other interests do you have outside your sport?
I'm obsessed with wake surfing (behind the boat) and downhill mountain biking. I've also been getting into action sports photography and I love to paint.

A quote from a mentor about their chances in 2010 or a description of what they're like as people.
"Ashleigh is finally realizing how talented she is. Little tastes of success have motivated her to commit to being the best ski cross racer she can be. Her hard work in the off season is going to bring her to a higher level of achievement very soon."
Eric Archer, Head Coach of the Canadian Ski Cross Team