Young skier Mikayla Martin took home four medals at Hemlock Valley Resort Jan. 8 to 10, which helped her qualify for Terrace's BC Winter Games in March.
The speedy 13-year-old won gold, two silvers and a bronze in slalom and giant slalom events. Martin, representing the Whistler Mountain Ski Club, went into the events with confidence but didn't set a personal goal. She didn't need to, she said.
"I don't really set an expectation, it just happens how it happens. As long as I'm trying my hardest, I'm happy," said Martin, a Grade 7 student at Mamquam Elementary School.
That doesn't mean she doesn't have big dreams. Although she only started K1 racing last year, Martin envisions competing in the Olympics some day. And with more than 130 male and female alpine skiers from around the province congregating in Terrace, the BC Winter Olympics is a great start to her career.
She's making an exception for the BC Winter Games by setting the podium as her clear target for the technical ski racing events. As a second year racer competing with 11 and 12-year-olds, Martin is acquiring more and more experience as the season progresses, said her dad, James.
"So she's on the podium consistently, which is very cool," he said.
When she earned the silver medal in the first giant slalom event on Jan. 8, her birthday, the rest of the girls sang Happy Birthday. Martin went on to earn another silver medal in the two-run giant slalom on Jan. 9 before winning gold in the slalom on Jan. 10. She won bronze in the second slalom race later that day.
Martin said she prefers competing in giant slalom, which includes gates that are spaced at greater distances from each other than those on slalom courses.
"It's faster, riskier, and I think I'm better at it, too," she said, adding that her skiing has become more aggressive as she grows more accustomed to her edges and continues to improve her angulation skills.
Martin has already recorded impressive provincial results. As a first year racer last year, she placed sixth at the provincial championships and competed in the Western Canada Championship.
But by training three to four times a week on Whistler Mountain, Martin is in a good position to make that step up to the podium at the BC Winter Games.
