Brittany Webster is home from the Sochi Olympic Games

March 5, 2014 · 0 Comments

By Bill Rea
She may have made it to the Olympics by what she called the “milk-run route.”
But Belfountain area native Brittany Webster acquitted herself well when it counted in the cross-country skiing events. Although she didn’t win any medals, she was the top Canadian in the 30-kilometre and Classic competitions.
“I was really happy,” she declared shortly after arriving at Pearson International Airport last Thursday. She was greeted by a welcoming party, which included her parents Fred and Chris Webster.
Webster had been in line to compete in the 2010 Games, but a sudden illness put her out. So she was glad to get the other chance.
“It was really nice to be just out there,” she declared. “It was the most spectacular experience I’ve ever had in my life.”
There was much to be impressed with the Games were run.
“The organization was just impeccable,” she said, adding security was evident, but “it really wasn’t that strenuous.”
“I felt completely safe the entire time,” she added.
The only disadvantage she noted was it took an hour to get to the racing site, meaning two hours of travel, which cut into practice time.
Weather conditions created some complications too. Webster said she was racing in 15-degree temperatures, which is not what she was expecting. It made the snow heavy, which made things tough on the racers.
“There were a lot more crashes than usual,” she said, adding the courses were well put together, with a lot of hills to get up.
“There is a lot of climbing on the cross-country courses,” she said. “That was definitely challenging.”
Webster said she will have a couple of weeks at home, then it will be off to Newfoundland for the Canadian Nationals, followed by a trip to Alaska for the U.S. Nationals.
And seeking a spot on the team for the 2018 games in Pyeongchang, South Korea has not been ruled out.
“I’m considering it,” she said. “As an athlete, you’ve got to take it year-by-year.”

Belfountain area residents Fred and Chris Webster, along with friend John Wilson, were ringing the bell and waving the banner last Thursday at Pearson International Airport to welcome their daughter Brittany home from the Sochi Olympic Games, where she competed in cross-country skiing events.
Photo by Bill Rea