Olympic Moms
The 25th Winter Olympics are already well underway and many of us have been tuning in on CBC, even live in the wee hours of the morning here in Canada, to watch the races unfold, to cheer on the Canadian alpine team, and to feel the excitement of the Games.
For most of us, our Olympic experience takes place in our living rooms, but for the parents and families travelling to Italy to watch the competition, the Olympic experience is something quite special. We spoke with two local ‘Olympic moms’ in Cortina about how it feels to be there.
Joanne Gray is a familiar name in the Alberta Alpine community. Mom to 6 and recently featured on CBC for her contribution to the Panorama ski racing community, she’s watching her eldest daughter Cassidy in her second Olympic Games, but for the first time in-person. She is joined by her husband Rob and their entire family.
Lynne and Grant Richardson, based in Canmore and whose daughter Britt will be racing in her first Olympics in the Women’s GS, are also in Cortina, joined by their son Cole and an extended family fan club.
We asked both of these ‘Olympic moms’ about their daughters’ journey to the Games, and the experience of being a parent there in Cortina to take it all in.
When did you first introduce your daughter to skiing and when did she first join a ski club program? What was her path from the club level to the Canadian Alpine Ski Team? (Likely no 2 are the same!)
Joanne: Cassidy first took ski lessons at COP in Calgary. Our cabin was finished in Panorama in the summer of 2007 and that winter Cassidy and her older brother, Brody, joined Team Panorama. Cassidy was 6 years old. As a kid she played a lot of sports. She definitely began to focus on ski racing more at U14 level even though she continued with soccer, volleyball, gymnastics, hockey, etc.
From Team Panorama, she joined the Alberta Ski Team before attending Colorado University where she raced NCAA to her first World Championship with the Canadian Alpine Ski Team.
Lynne: Britt started skiing at 18 months, and we free skied as a family for years at Lake Louise until Britt joined the race team at 9 years old. She learned to rip through the trees and ski pow chasing her brother, Cole, along with her dad, Grant, who has been, and still is, an integral part of her coaching team. Britt has worked with many great coaches over the years from Lake Louise and CARC close to home, Burke Mountain Academy, and now the Canadian Ski Team.
Jo, as a ‘veteran’ ski racing mom, have you any messages to share with parents of kids coming through the ski racing pathway now? What are you most grateful for in terms of how ski racing has shaped your daughter’s life so far?
Joanne: Oh, the road is not linear. There are lots and lots of ups and downs. I have always encouraged her to look for the lessons in the ‘downs’ and then continue to go after what she wanted. Cassidy is 100% responsible for driving her ski racing career. She did not need much encouragement – she is very driven! In my opinion, the downs are to learn from but it is the getting yourself back up that truly defines your character and who you are as a person. Ski racing itself does not define you. It is simply something you do. You are way more than that 🙂
Lynne, would you credit any influences or experiences that got your daughter here?
Lynne: At an early age, Britt would often ask me, “Mom, what is the youngest age you can be to race in a World Cup?”
I think her World Cup dreams started when she watched the annual World Cup speed races at Lake Louise with her ski buddies.
Every year the girls would stand at the finish, cheering, giggling and in absolute awe of the racers. They wouldn’t leave the resort until they got a photo with one of the athletes and/or a signed bib. One year, Lindsey Vonn gave Britt her podium flowers and kindly posed for a photo with her. Those flowers are probably still in Britt’s room!!
Last year, 10 years later, I got a similar photo of the two of them while they were both competing at the World Cup Finals in Sun Valley!
Joanne, this is Cass’ 2nd Olympics, but the first time you are there in person. Can you tell us a bit about what that experience was like last time, watching from afar, and how you feel as you watch her ‘live’ this time?
Joanne: Yes, her first Olympics was in Beijing and it was during Covid so no families were allowed to go to the events. We watched the entire Olympics on TV. It was very exciting to watch as we were all set up in our basement with a full projector screen! We also had the other kids’ races to go to locally during the Olympics. We were in Lake Louise for a race and all of Zoe’s ski buddies came to our room to watch. We were all covered in Canada flags, hats, clappers, etc. It was a vibe! This time in Cortina, the entire family has come to watch Cassidy race! After watching the first Downhill in Cortina, I think we all concluded that we were more nervous being at the event than watching it on TV, especially with the injuries on the track that day. The absolute most memorable moment was when she crossed the finish line and looked over to us and that beautiful smile calmed our nerves and continued to give our vocal cords additional inspiration! We cheered for a long time after! Cassidy came up into the stands when she was done with her media interviews and although she was not happy with her skiing, she was stoked that we were all there!!
How do you think her experiences at the previous Games will influence her approach 2nd time around both on and off the course?
Joanne: When you go to the Olympics there are lots of distractions, pressures, etc. I refer to them as “noise”. With the experience of the first Games under her belt, it makes it easier for her to block out the noise and focus.
OK, now, both of you, tell us what kind of fan-mom are you? We often hear of how athletes prepare for their races, but what’s your race day look like? Will those of us watching from home be able to spot you on tv?
Joanne: I usually like to be on course and help the race! If I am not, I likely will be the loudest person cheering in the finish area. I always have a Canada flag, maybe Canada glasses, Canada pins, hats, tattoos…you name it, I wear it! Next to watching her race, I love to wear the maple leaf!! (Note: Joanne’s iconic coat many will recognize has also been spotted by cameras in the stands from Cortina!)
Lynne: I’m definitely a World Cup and Olympic fan-mom. We have always been a keen ski family, and both of my parents were avid volunteers at many Lake Louise World Cups and the ‘88 Olympics. I guess that’s where my ski race passion stemmed from! I was lucky to have been a forerunner myself at the ‘88 Olympic Women’s Downhill and Super-G at Nakiska. I also attended both the 2002 Salt Lake City and 2010 Whistler Olympic Games to cheer on close ski friends competing. And this time I’m honoured and proud to be watching my daughter and her teammates compete in Cortina!!! I’m so proud of this team and I can’t wait to cheer them on and hug them in the finish!! You may spot me and my family wearing Canada’s colours and our custom hats!
Cowbell alert: Cassidy and Britt join teammates Valérie Grenier and Justine Lamontagne in the upcoming Women’s Olympic Giant Slalom on February 15th. Whether you choose to wake up very early to watch it live, or replay the race over breakfast, be sure to CHEER LOUDLY! Run 1 starts Sunday at 1:20 am HERE