Have you ever heard of the Weasel Workers? No, they are not the latest VANOC anti-rodent patrol. This is the affectionate name for the volunteers who prepare the Whistler ski race courses, keep the course in good condition during the race, run the race and clean up afterward.
Of course there are many very dedicated volunteers taking part in the Games, but since I am a Level II Ski Race Official in Ontario, the Weasels are near and dear to me.
I want to talk about the Whistler Weasels and the Volunteers from around BC - the Mt Washington Marmots (a REALLY fun crew), Apex Sun Dogs, Lake Louise Sled Dogs and a smattering of other race vollies - that will be at Whistler. Especially my friends Ted and Laurie Spearin from Vernon BC.
Skiing is a Family Way of Life
Ted said that his Silver Star Volunteer team had yet to coin a nickname, but he then volunteered the “Vernon Vermin”. I went to Engineering School with the Spearins (Waterloo), and they are so into skiing that their wedding was held in Collingwood so everyone could turn it into a ski weekend staying in the old hostel chalet on Happy Valley at Blue Mountain – now that was the best wedding I ever attended! (Except for my own of course).
Ted and Laurie grew up in Ontario and moved to Phoenix in the 90’s - which was great for visiting. They then moved to Vernon with their children, Wade and Casey, to live the dream of living in a Canadian Ski town. They were soon followed to the Okanagan by Laurie’s 3 brothers – a complete Race Crew …. the Family that skis together, stays together!
Ski Racing Communities Support All Racers
Most of a Race Crew is usually family members of the racers – that is part of the “dues” of being in a ski racing club. Someone has to do it and if you want your child to ski race you have to be part of the Crew. Ted and Laurie got into it as their son and daughter (see their daughter, Casey, below) are very competitive racers in Vernon BC at Silver Star.
Race Crew are like the theatrical stage crew that makes a great performance possible … so when you see our Alpine stars swoosh down the hill, know that there are many family members who have spent hundreds or thousands of hours working many courses in that racer’s development.
Even if your child does not make it to the highest level - your help with coaching, volunteering and especially being race crew, provides the competitive environment that helps all of our Canadian Olympic Team reach for the podium. All Volunteers can be proud to be a part of the performance that our athletes will give over the rest of this month.
The Spearin’s volunteer work occasionally leads to meeting Olympic Athletes like Nancy Greene who presented medals at a Race to Casey in 2001.
Canadian Olympic Athlete Families Volunteer at the Games
The Weasels play a key role in making the best possible races at Whistler. Ted and Laurie will be working on the Ladies Alpine races, maintaining the top few gates of the course. Including the preparation and operation of the Alpine races, they will be working for almost two weeks. Alongside Ted will be Kelsey Serwa’s parents. Kelsey is a Canadian Olympic Ski Cross racer with a very good chance for a medal.
I look forward to skiing with Ted and Laurie on February 13th at Whistler and watching the Men’s Downhill from the Hill (I am sure they will have selected a great vantage point!). Ted says he has more stories of for me of Canadian Olympic Athletes and their Families. I can’t wait to hear them when he has a spare minute - possibly on the chairlift in Whistler.
1 day until we leave - 2 days to Opening Ceremonies!
Photo Credits: Ted and Laurie Spearin
Ted and Laurie, we miss you... knew you would be at the olympics and came across this article. Have fun
From John and Laura Sullivan
Posted by: laurasu@msn.com | February 13, 2010 at 09:19 PM