Hydro Paralympian gears up for Games

Lauren Woolstencroft puts a new spin on work-life balance.

For the past two years she’s worked as an engineer-in-training in the Edmonds office, most recently helping to design distribution systems for 2010 Winter Games venues in the North Shore and Coastal region.

At the same time she’s been training and competing in alpine skiing’s five Paralympic events: Slalom, Giant Slalom, Super Giant Slalom, Super-Combined and Downhill.

“I feel really fortunate to be in my position. At lot of time athletes show up at an event, and everything’s all done for us—we’re very catered to,” she says. “Now that I’m more involved in the development side, I realize going into the 2010 Games what it takes to set them up, and it makes me appreciate them in a different way.”

Lauren, who was born missing both legs below the knee and her left arm below the elbow, first strapped into skis at age four. Growing up in Calgary, she built her skills on family trips to Banff, Nakiska and Whitefish, Montana. At 16 she joined the national team, later taking off winters from studying engineering at UVic to concentrate on skiing.

Having already competed in two Paralympic Winter Games, Lauren isn’t particularly nervous about her upcoming races. She’s learned to tune out the buzz and distraction around the Games, and is thrilled at the opportunity to represent Canada on her home turf.

“I’ve been to two other Games, and know what they’re like, so I’ve learned how to get ready, mentally and physically,” she says. “Our team competes on the World Cup circuit every year so I try to think of the Games being like any other event.”