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In the middle of the action
Updated: Monday July 16, 2001 11:50 AM
Canadian Jennifer Heil, 18, became one of the youngest skiers to win a World Cup medal when she won silver in moguls at the 2001 Mondial Ericsson World Cup event. Nicknamed "Little Pepper", Heil was the 2000 national champion in single and double moguls. Check out Heil's CNNSI.com diary as she trains for the 2002 Olympic Games.
June 31, 2001
Hello all, my name is Jennifer Heil. I have just turned 18 and am a recent graduate from high school! I live in Spruce Grove, AB, Canada with my two parents. As well I have a 21-year-old sister, Amie, who is currently living in Edmonton going to the University of Alberta and coaching the Edmonton Freestyle Ski Team. When not at home trying to cram my studies, I have spent most of my time on the ski slopes or in the gym training for my sport. The last couple of years have been pretty intense with training all year round but it hasn't always been that way.
At the age of 2 I began skiing. I would have to thank my "insanely enthusiastic" parents as it is sometimes put for that one. Skiing was something that I picked up super easy. But at that age, with two boards strapped to your feet and flying down a hill, I guess we all would adapt pretty quick. Skiing was a family passion. Each year we would embark upon family ski trips to Radium, British Columbia. My sister and I would look forward to these all year, as we would be graced with being able to miss a couple days of school. My dad is an amazing skier who taught my sister and I all of the basics. He was always a little bit ahead, pushing us to keep up. However skiing wasn't the only thing that I loved to do. I pretty much love all sports. Over the years I have taken part in competitive swimming, running, volleyball, basketball, badminton, gymnastics, and dancing. Anything I could get my hands on I would! I am only 5-foot-3, not a person who you would give a spiking position on a volleyball team but I have always felt a need to be in the middle of the action. I have always had the dream to go to the Olympic Games. In my mind the Games represent the pinnacle of sport. My older sister is very competitive as well and good at everything she does. I would have to thank her and my father for my competitive spirit. I have always worked that much harder trying to keep up with the two being forced to play outside my comfort zone. My mother is also a great athlete who was the a Jr. Golf Champ. At age nine I began my competitive skiing career in Edmonton, Alberta. Edmonton has no mountains and basically no hills. I skied at a hill in the river valley but it was only long enough for one of the two mandatory jumps on a mogul course. The sport of moguls skiing is a very exciting sport that combines speed and agility with power. A lot of people always question how my body handles all of the "bumps" but you learn to absorb them and use them to slow you down rather than the opposite! But I say you learn to do that because at first those moguls are only getting in the way. Because I had been skiing my entire life mogul skiing was just something that I was naturally good at. After skiing a couple nights a week and Saturdays for two seasons in Edmonton, my sister made the Alberta Team. From then on my family adopted the title of the "weekend warriors," driving 8 hours a weekend to ski in the mountains. This continued for four more years as I too made the Alberta team. Finally a lot less hours would be spent in the car when I skied on the National Development Team for the 1999-2000 season. Again I would be promoted, just coming off of an excellent season with the National Team competing in the World Cup Circuit. I am one of the youngest to ever ski on the National Team and one of the youngest ever to win a World Cup medal. I have had to give a lot up at a young age and work really hard both on and off the hill to maintain a balanced life. But I do it all because I love to have a goal. I love to put my energy into something that can yield so many rewards. Being outside, taking part in a sport that combines so many physical aspects and such a powerful mental aspect is simply amazing. Each day I feel challenged to become a better skier and a better person as I learn from those around me that have already succeeded. This upcoming season is a bit of a bonus for me as I had always had my mind set on the 2006 Olympics. I am really excited to be able to be apart of the Canadian Olympic Team a dream that has always been alive inside of me. Over the next few months as I prepare myself to be the absolute best I can for the Games I will keep you updated and let you know how it is all going. -- Jenn
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