Alpine Skiing

A West Vancouver French immersion school "adopted" Britt and Michael Janyk, two members of the Alpine Canada ski team. The brother and sister were at the École Cedardale Elementary School to speak with students about the upcoming 2010 Olympic Games.

"This was a totally new experience for us," said Michael Janyk in an interview with CTVOlympics.ca before the Peak to Peak Gala dinner in Vancouver. "We were approached by a few schools, but this one is basically the new version of the school we went to, I even saw the same kindergarden teacher that taught me!"

179 school children were on hand to hear Britt and Michael speak about their experiences as World Cup ski racers. The students will follow the two athletes during the upcoming season, tracking their results as they work towards the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Games.

"It was pretty cool because all the kids were wearing something Canadian," said Michael Janyk. "Either a hockey jersey or something red or with a maple leaf."

For the bronze medal winner in slalom at the 2009 World Alpine Ski Championships, today was just the third speaking engagement at a school. "They're just kids, so you can't be too technical, just keep the excitement up," said Michael Janyk.

"We had a chance to show the kids some of our videos," said Britt Janyk. "It was a great opportunity for the students to ask questions about what we do. They wanted to know how fast we go, and if we've ever been hurt. It's about being able to pass on our passion and show how important it is to have goals and dreams and to pursue them."

The school visits are part of the heavier schedule the athletes face heading into a home Olympics.

"It means we do have less time to ourselves," said Britt. "There's a saying that pressure is privilege, and that really extends to the attention we've been getting. It's part of being as good as we are that we deserve the attention."

One of the more entertaining parts of that obligation is the Peak to Peak Gala, being held in Vancouver tonight. Honouring the best in the sport, the gala is also a chance for Canada's World Cup athletes to relax and have some fun.

"It's also really about the grassroots of the sport," said Britt Janyk. "We got started with the Whistler Mountain ski club, and so we can come and support them."

"This is where we can relax with the team and have some fun," said Michael. 

The World Cup season resumes in Levi, Finland for the men's and women's slalom events before swinging to North America for the start of the speed season with women's events in Aspen, Colo., and the men's events in Lake Louise, Alta.