CDS Student Competes at Canada Winter Games
Last month, Grade 10 student Kennedy Ryan was the only female member on Team Ontario to compete in both Freestyle Slopestyle and Mogul events at the 2019 Canada Winter Games in Red Deer, Alberta. While she earned one of the coveted three female spots for Slopestyle based on her competitive results last season, Slopestyle skiing is what Kennedy does for fun, and Moguls are her primary competitive event. She has been competing in both events for five seasons.
At the 2019 Winter Games, she placed in the top 10 for her two Slopestyle events, capturing 9th place in Women’s Slopestyle and 10th place in Women’s Half Pipe, which was held at Calgary Olympic Park on their huge Half Pipe course. “This was an incredible feat as Ontario kids don’t typically get to train in Half Pipe and the bus carrying the athletes broke down on its way to the Calgary Olympic Park, so the athletes only had one hour to train before qualifying rounds started,” explained Kennedy’s mother, Shannon.
“The huge Half Pipe course was no small feat, going 28 feet up the wall on each side, the athletes were challenged to scale the wall and then sail above the ledge, do a trick and then land back on the face of the Half Pipe on their way to the other side to do another trick.” According to Kennedy, the original few runs of skiing up and down repetitively was like going on a really wild rollercoaster!
Due to a case of skier's thumb, Kennedy had her hand in a cast for both events, which proved especially challenging on the Mogul course. Nevertheless, she went as big as she could on the Aerial jumps, only struggling with a landing or two, and really enjoyed the challenge. The Mogul course was one of the toughest she has ever been on at 195 metres long and a 26-28 degree pitch.
“My time at the Winter Games was such an amazing experience,” said Kennedy. “It was so cool to be with so many likeminded people enthusiastic about their individual sport. I feel very fortunate to have had this experience, something I won’t ever forget.”
Canada’s Winter Games take place only once every four years with upwards of 3,600 athletes, coaches, managers and staff attending as each province sends up to 12 athletes for each of 19 different sports. There is a torch that crosses Canada on its way to the Opening Ceremony, and the athletes are given a small glimpse of what it might feel like to compete at bigger events such as the Olympics.
It was a fabulous week, where Freestyle athletes competed against the best of the best from each province. During their downtime, they could watch the multitude of other sporting events taking place and mingle with athletes from across Canada as they stayed together in the Athletes’ Village during their time at the Winter Games. Congratulations Kennedy – what a memorable experience!
Land Acknowledgment
The Country Day School wishes to recognize and acknowledge the land on which the school operates. Our nearest Indigenous Nations are now the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation and the Chippewas of Georgina Island. The Dish with One Spoon Wampum covenant is often cited as an example of the shared responsibility for caring for these lands among the Huron-Wendat, Anishinaabe and Haudenosaunee peoples who would call these their traditional territories. CDS respects the relationship with these lands and recognizes that our connection to this land can be strengthened by our continued relationship with all First Nations, by acknowledging our shared responsibility to respect and care for the land and waters for future generations.
School Information
13415 Dufferin Street King, Ontario L7B 1K5
(905) 833-1220
communications@cds.on.ca
admissions@cds.on.ca
Founded in 1972, The Country Day School is a co-educational private school offering programs in JK-12 and located on 100 acres north of Toronto in King.
(905) 833-1220
communications@cds.on.ca
admissions@cds.on.ca
Founded in 1972, The Country Day School is a co-educational private school offering programs in JK-12 and located on 100 acres north of Toronto in King.
