Fernie’s own Emily Brydon has been recognized as one of the country’s top skiing stars, with her victory at the Super-G in Moritz in 2008 named one of the top 100 moments in Canadian ski racing history.
Alpine Canada launched the top 100 moments in Canadian ski history to commemorate 100 years of ski racing in Canada.
“I always find it surprising when I get recognized for moments in my career,” said Brydon.
“It’s very humbling to know I get a moment in the top 100 because there are a lot of amazing moments across skiing. Skiing has a fantastic history in Canada - men, women, para - to be in that family and recognized in pivotal moments is humbling.”
She said her win in 2008 was one of the highlights of her ski racing career.
“I think it was more than just standing on the podium - it was the journey it took for me to get there.
“It took me a long time to get there - a lot of third places, second places - to finally find that magic on the top of the podium. When I did, the feeling was just so magical, with a bit of relief in there and then total elation, and a little bit of validation for all the hard work and sacrifice that was put in to achieving that, and it was in one of my favourite places in the whole world, so it all came together in this beautiful pivotal moment in my career.”
Brydon said the lesson she had learned in getting her win in 2008 was to stick to something you believe in.
“Whether you’re a ski racer or a kid in school or trying to do a great job in your career or raising your family, there’s always going to be a lot of people who say you can’t, and so I think for me there’s a constant reminder that when you believe in something and put in the work, you’ll get that return at some point.”
That message is key to the Emily Brydon Youth Foundation - which seeks to support youth in the Elk Valley in achieving their dreams.
Brydon explained her own experience growing up was why the foundation sought to invest in youth.
“The Socher family gave me some money after my dad died and told me to go chase my dream - if that doesn’t plant the seed for something beautiful in the future I don’t know what does.
“Planting seeds and creating opportunity and enabling kids like me … it’s the long game- and it’s all about believing in people and supporting people.”
Recently, the Emily Brydon Youth Foundation secured $1,300 through the City of Fernie’s discretionary grants program to support two Elk Valley youth follow their dreams.
You can browse through all of Alpine Canada’s 100 peak moments in Canadian skiing history at aca100.alpinecanada.org.
READ MORE: City of Fernie allocates $11,000 in discretionary grants
scott.tibballs@thefreepress.ca
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