Danielle Poleschuk

Motto:

"Dig deep, never give up."

The Rundown:

Nicknames: "Danie", "D-Money"
D.O.B.: January 23, 1986
Place of birth: Winnipeg, MB
Where you grew up: Winnipeg, MB & Calgary, AB
Current hometown: Calgary, AB
Where you train: COP and wherever there's snow!
Website/Blog: www.dpoleschuk.com

EQUIPMENT

Skis: Rossignol
Boots: Rossignol
Poles: Gabel Helmet: Uvex
Goggles: Uvex

Headgear:

Shoulder:

Current international standing and recent results:

Current World Cup Point Ranking: 8th
2009 World Cup Point Ranking: 19th
2009 FIS Point Standings: 18th

2010

8th - World Cup, Lake Placid, USA
6th - World Cup, Blue Mountain, CAN
12th - World Cup, Alpe d’Huez, FRA
11th - World Cup, St Johann, AUT
12th - World Cup, San Candido, ITA

2009

DNS - World Cup Finals, La Plagne, FRA
DNF - World Cup, Meiringen, SUI
17th - World Cup, Grinewald, SUI
14th - World Championships, Inawashiro JPN
DNS - World Cup, Branaes, SWE
12th - World Cup, Myrkdalen-Voss, NOR
12th - World Cup, Cypress Mt. CAN
1st - Nor-AM, Copper Mt. USA
2nd - Nor-Am, Copper Mt. USA
14th - World Cup, Lake Placid, USA
5th - World Cup, Les Contamines, FRA
32nd - World Cup, St. Johann, AUT

One On One With...

What are your goals for 2010?
Continue to get better and gain more experience in preparation for 2010. I would like to continue to represent Canada on the world cup stage, be ranked in the top 10 in the world and qualify for the Vancouver Olympics.

How did you get into your sport (i.e. other Olympians in family?)
For the last two years I was on the Canadian Alpine team focusing in on speed disciplines but with three athletes, (Emily, Britt and Kelly all in the top 15 in world rankings) I knew it would be difficult to qualify for the Vancouver Olympics. I had heard a lot about "ski cross" and thought I would give it a try. I fell in love with it after a run! It is a blast and I look forward to the journey.

Describe a bit about your hometown, about how you got started there in your sport.
I live in Calgary. It's home of the greatest out door show around. It's a big city with a good community of athletics. The level of sports in Calgary is awesome and they have some great training facilities for all sports. This fall and early winter we spent a lot of time at COP working on starts and getting ready for the WC season.

How were you supported by your community growing up there?
My family, friends and my neighbors have supported me in all of my athletic endeavors.

What is it about your hometown that inspired you in your sport?
It's an active city and has strong roots in "Ski Cross." We have great training hills and free skiing hills right in our back yard. Simply put we have the best mountains in the world to train on and enjoy.

How were you impacted by where you grew up?
I really grew up in three cities. Winnipeg, Fernie and Calgary. All three cities have provided me with great memories and opportunities. I love to golf, play field hockey, hike, bike and enjoy the outdoors. All of these locations gave me the chance to do these things and much more.

How would you describe yourself?
Dedicated, hard working, committed to excellence, strategic and persistent

What is one of the biggest challenges you've faced in reaching your goals in this sport?
Experience! I am new to the world of Ski Cross and have much to learn about the strategy of the races. I have had to go head to head with the best in the world and learn on the job.

What do you consider of one of your biggest accomplishments to date?
One of my biggest accomplishments to date is competing at the World Cup levels in both Alpine and now Ski Cross. The skills are somewhat transferable from sport to sport. From a rewards perspective I have won NorAm races and medals at the Canadian Championships in Alpine but I look forward to my first World Cup Podium and "gold medal" in Ski Cross.

What other interests do you have outside your sport?
Love to compete! I am back playing Field Hockey and have lowered my golf handicap to 12.
I also enjoy hitting up the family lake, biking and spending time with my friends and family.

Perhaps a quote from a mentor about their chances in 2010 or a description of what they're like as people.
"History has demonstrated that the most notable winners usually encountered heartbreaking obstacles before they triumphed. They won because they refused to become discourage by their defeats."
-Bertie C. Forbes

“The ultimate measure of a man is not where he is stands in moments
of comfort, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy.”
-Martin Luther King, Jr.

"Consult not your fears, but your hopes and dreams. Think not about your frustrations, but about your unfulfilled potential. Concern yourself with not with what you tried and failed at but with what is still possible for you to do."
- Pope John XXIII

"Success is how high you bounce when you hit bottom."
-General George Patton