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 - Don Weixl, Cross Country Canada
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Date of Birth: 09/03/78 |
Place of Birth: Edmonton, AB |
Residence: Edmonton, AB |
Years on National Team: 5 |
Amanda Fortier is the only new face on the five-member women's Olympic
cross-country skiing team. Fortier, who joins her sister
Jaime on the
squad, was the anchor in Canada's silver medal performance in the relay at
the World Cup last season on the Olympic course at Soldier Hollow, Utah.
She was also a member of the 1999 world team and competed at the world
junior championships in 1996 and 1998.
"The Olympics represent years of hard work, dedication and sacrifice," said
Fortier, who'll race the 15 kilometre, 30 kilometre, pursuit and relay at the
Games. "Now we have a chance to show North Americans what cross country
skiing is all about. We've had some great training camps this year and the
whole team is excited and optimistic about the Games."
Fortier feels the Olympic course should benefit the Canadian team especially
in the relay.
"It's a very rolling course with a lot of steep uphills," she said. "There'
s not much rest and you have to keep working the whole way. With the
altitude training we've had this summer and fall I think we can do well on
it."
At the Canada Games in 1995 Fortier dominated her events and was named the
Most Successful Athlete.
What Canada Did
Feb. 24 - Women's 30-km classical: Amanda Fortier, Canmore, Alta., finished 28th
Feb. 15 - Women's pursuit: Amanda Fortier, Canmore, was 51st in classical, failed to advance..
Feb. 9: Amanda Fortier, Edmonton, finished 35th in a final field of 60
2002 Games Cross Country Skiing Coverage
