The Reminder is making its archives back to 2003 available on our website. Please note that, due to technical limitations, archive articles are presented without the usual formatting.
Kelly Carrington Staff Writer The trails of the Flin Flon Creighton Ski Club were recently travelled in a different way than usual. Canadian Paralympian sit-skier Colette Bourgonje put the trails to the test in the Sask Cup last weekend. Originally from Porcupine Plain, Sask., Bourgonje attended the Sask Cup races as a competitor, coach and mentor. Paralyzed from the mid-back down, the 51-year-old has competed all over the world on many stages, and now in Flin Flon. In the community for the first time, Bourgonje skied the Valley Loop as she competed as the weekend's lone sit-skier. 'The Valley Loop was very flat so it was good for fitness,'she said. 'I like that kind, of course.' Formerly unaware where Flin Flon was, Bourgonje was up for some new scenery. 'It's beautiful,' she said with a smile. '...it's been an adventure since the beginning,' she added with a laugh. The Valley Loop offered a good workout for the Paralympian. 'If you're fit, it's a good kind of course where you can just hammer and work your heart rate,' she said. Thinking back to the nine Paralympics, multiple World Cups and World Championships she has competed in, Bourgonje says while those trails are more technical, Flin Flon offered a different experience. 'The little course we were on today was quite technical,'she said. 'It had the hill at the back, which was tough.' Bourgonje thought back to the hill down which she had to navigate. '...that was fun,' she laughed. 'It was a really nice course.' A car accident in 1980 changed Bourgonje's life forever, leaving her paralyzed at the mid-back. A former cross-country runner, she has now made her mark in the Paralympic world. In 1991, Bourgonje tried sit-skiing for the first time and was instantly hooked. 'I was a teacher in Saskatoon for 15 years and...when I was teaching they had a sit-ski and needed someone to try it,' she said. 'I thought, yeah, that would be great, so I tried it and I just loved it,' she said. New doors Buckling into the sit-ski opened new doors for the athlete. She has travelled not only across Canada _ including the 2010 Paralympics in Vancouver _ but also to places like Chicago, Berlin, Italy and Japan. Personal satisfaction keeps Bourgonje in the sport. 'I enjoy the endurance aspect of the racing,' she said. Taking her love for the sport to a new level, Bourgonje now coaches and mentors in Prince Albert through Saski, a ski program for the physically challenged. 'I come from the able-bodied world of cross-country running,' she said. 'When skiing came around it was like, 'wow, this is awesome.' 'Now, I have the opportunity to share that with other physically disabled people.' Bourgonje not only works on her own fitness and races, but is constantly looking for athletes to recruit. Brittany Hudak is a new skier in the Saski program. The 19-year-old was at a Canadian Tire store one day when Bourgonje wheeled up to her and asked if she wanted to ski. An amputee from birth, Hudak, a Prince Albert native, is now coming into her own. 'It's an amazing sport that can increase your quality of life,' Bourgonje said. 'And, it doesn't matter how far they take it.' Hudak joined Bourgonje in Flin Flon and competed against skiers from across the province. '...it was important for me to bring Brittany here,' Bourgonje said, 'to get her racing with her group. The mentor says ski fans should watch out for Hudak as 'she's going places.' Bourgonje was in Flin Flon hoping to spread the message to those looking to learn about skiing. See 'Just...' on pg. 11 Continued from pg. 11 'You gotta come out and try it' is something Bourgonje tells those she's looking to get involved. 'Just take the first step and some lessons and give it a try,' she said with encouragement. Though she was in Flin Flon to race the clock and try to improve on her own results, Bourgonje encouraged the athletes she coaches, as well as those from the other clubs. 'Everyone is welcome when they put skis on,' she said. Skiing is 'an opportunity to get outside and do something in the winter. I think that's the most important part _ that you get to go out and enjoy the outdoors.' Seeing the trails, roads, and parks covered in snow, Bourgonje says she can picture just how 'beautiful' this area is in the summer. Of course Bourgonje isn't just in the sport to improve her own quality of life. Following her trip to Flin Flon last weekend, the Paralympian headed back to Prince Albert to bring a sit-ski to a boy with one arm and one leg. 'He can make it move,' she laughed as she had already practiced on the playground at his school. 'It's exciting. It opens up doors for him.' The young boy will use one pole as well as the movement from his leg and abdominal muscles to keep the skies moving. '...that's how he does it in his wheelchair,' Bourgonje said. Skiing itself is a good cardiovascular workout and is great for strength. Beyond those benefits, Bourgonje says it 'brings the outdoors to you.' Reflecting on the weekend, Bourgonje says she was impressed with the atmosphere at the Flin Flon Creighton Ski Club and the Sask Cup. 'Everybody cheers' 'Everyone cheers on everybody,' she said. 'It's a positive atmosphere.' Hoping to encourage anyone in the Flin Flon area who would like to be a part of the Saski program or the sport of skiing in general, Bourgonje is eager to help. '...we have equipment and we love to bring the sport to them,' she said. In 1991 when Bourgonje tried sit-skiing for the first time, she never knew she'd make it to the world stage. 'I had no idea that would happen,' she said with a smile. 'It's amazing.' Bourgonje works with a team of scientists out of Calgary to prepare for the Paralympics and other competitions _ as do able-bodied athletes for the Olympics. 'It's very scientific,' she says. 'It's a whole physiological program with nutritionists, massages and physiotherapy. 'It's amazing. That's what I hope our skiers coming up can attain.' Bourgonje has earned 12 rankings at the Paralympic Winter Games. Her first Winter Games medal came in 1998 in Nagano, Japan, in the 5K Sit-Ski, where she earned Silver. Since then, Bourgonje has won five other medals, including Silver and Bronze at the 2010 Games. She continues to enjoy success as she has medals and rankings at the national level as well as the World Cup and World Championships.
