PENTICTON, B.C. - A Canadian snowboarder who won gold at the 1998 Nagano Olympics says he's ready for a different type of race.

Ross Rebagliati says he's seeking the Liberal nomination in the British Columbia riding of Okanagan-Coquihalla.

The federal riding is currently held by Conservative member of Parliament and International Trade Minister Stockwell Day but Rebagliati, ever the competitor, says he can beat anybody.

"I think it's only fair for this riding to have an option and I'm prepared to dedicate myself to this election the same way I did when I won the Olympics,'' he said. "I will be passionate.''

Rebagliati, 38, retired from competition in 1999 and has been involved in real estate and broadcasting ventures since.

He and his wife now call Kelowna, B.C., home, along with their five-month-old son.

Although this will be Rebagliati's first run at public office, he says he's no stranger to getting caught up in political issues.

Rebagliati won the first ever Olympic gold medal in snowboarding at the 1998 Games but lost his medal within days in a marijuana doping incident. That finding was soon overturned and his medal was returned.

"After winning gold in Nagano, it became very political for the moment,'' he said.

"Here I am, a 26-year-old thrown into a media frenzy with nobody around me and no media training. It certainly taught me a lot.''

Rebagliati said he became more enthused about politics through friendships with former B.C. Liberal MP Blair Wilson and former B.C. MLA Sindi Hawkins.

Rebagliati expects to win the nomination uncontested but as for the date of the election, he said, "You probably have as good an idea as I do.''

(Penticton Herald)