Slide head first at up to 90 mph on a curvy track of ice
with no brakes or steering experiencing five Gs of force the equivalent of a space shuttle take off Skeleton, catch it if you can.
Have a new respect for the sport? Become a facebook fan of Japan's Kazuhiro Koshi and New Zealand's Katharine Eustace, two of the One Winter, Five Dreams featured athletes. ski like a girl is!
xoxo,
ski girl
p.s. Kazuhiro Koshi is the oldest member of the Japanese Winter Olympic team. Cheer him on as he prepares for the Games in Vancouver. Leave a message for him in the comments and I'll make sure he gets it.
In 2006 in Torino, fellow featured athlete, Tugba Karademir was also the flag-bearer for Turkey in the Winter Olympics. She was called a natural choice, given her outgoing nature. In an article Article from her home town newspaper, Tugba is described as having a very bubbly personality. Perfect for the honor of representing her country in the opening ceremony. In 2006 Tugba became the first Turkish figure skater to compete at the Olympic Winter Games. Finishing in 21st place overall.
Carrying your nation's flag at an Olympic opening ceremony is considered one of sport's greatest honors. The highlight of an athletic career. In her Panasonic One Winter, Five Dreams blog, Tugba writes about her experience at the Opening Ceremony.
"I had the honor of being the flag bearer for my country last time and I sincerely hope I will be granted to that honor again. Even thinking about the whole thing is so exciting, it puts tears of joy in my eyes and gives me goose bumps everyday since end of World Championships."
The Opening Ceremonies are scheduled for Feb. 12. Who will be carrying the flag for Turkey?
2010 wil be the first time for a Winter Games opening ceremony to be staged indoors. The Vancouver Winter Games will be the third time that Canada has hosted Olympics, the 1976 Montreal Summer Games and the Calgary Winter Games in 1988.
Join ski like a girl and support Tuba's dream. Follow Tugba's journey as she prepares for her second bid at an Olympic Gold.
Leave messages of support and encouragement at her One Winter, Five Dreams blog
xoxo,
ski girl
p.s. Only a few hours left to enter the Gold Blogger contest. Win a trip to the Games and share in the passion of the Olympics with Tugba and the other One Winter Five Dreams featured athletes!
Watch video of Cross Country Skier, Robel Teklemariam carrying the flag for Ethiopia in the Parade of Athletes at the Turino 2006 Winter Olympics. As the solo member of the Ethiopian Ski Team, will Robel be carrying the flag again in Vancouver? Robel didn't just make the Ethiopian Olympic team he created.
From an Interview with Club Med Insider: "In 2006, you were chosen to carry the Ethiopian flag in the opening ceremonies; tell us what that experience was like for you. "
"Honestly it was surreal. It took me several months before it hit me. There is no greater honor in sports."
Robel's Ethiopian team isn't the first to represent Africa in the Winter Olympics. South Africa first sent a group of figure skaters in 1960. Senegal made its first appearance in the Winter Olympics in 1984 and Kenya did so in 1998. Algeria premiered its first Winter Olympic Team in 2006 with a cross country skier and downhill skier. Along with Ethiopia's debut at Torino in 2006.
Join in Robel's Olympic journey by following his blog at Panasonic's One Winter, Five Dreams. ski like a girl will be sharing in the passion and excitement as the countdown to the Olympic Games continues. Only 14 days until the Opening Ceremony and we can once again cheer on Robel as he inspires the world.
The goal of Panasonic's One Winter, Five Dreams project is to bring a group of lesser known Olympic hopefuls together with bloggers around the world. The goal of the bloggers is to draw attention to each of the athletes. To support them and cheer them on as they work towards achieving their Olympic dreams. To open the world's eyes and hearts to their struggles, hardships, and ultimate success' of each these athletes.
Robel Telkelmariam may have started out as on unknown but he is far from unknown now. He may be considered a one man show. The sole member of the Ethiopian Ski Team but he is far from alone. Thanks to Panasonic's One Winter, Five Dreams project Robel has the support of world behind him now.
How it all began:
Robel moved to New York City from Ethiopia at age 8. When he is 12 his mother is transferred to North Korea and Robel in enrolled in a boarding school in upstate New York. It is here near Lake Placid, that he is introduced to a new sport. One of the graduation requirements was that everyone had to learn how to ski. Robel was intrigued by skiing from the start. His coach says, " He just dived into it fully and spent really every waking moment that he could skiing." Robel continues to ski, earning a scholarship to the University of New Hampshire. He knew he was capable of competing at an Olympic level but his country had no winter Olympics committee, no ski team. After a 3 year effort Robel successfully establishes a Skiing Federation in Ethiopia.
Check out this New York Times video interview before 2006 Olympics.
Is he going for the Gold?
Robel's not in it for the medal but to show that anything is possible. He is skiing for the future of his country. Robel says it's,"for that one kid that is possibly going to see him skiing for Ethiopia and get inspired. Maybe that's the kid that will bring back the medal for Ethiopia."
Robel doesn't want to be the last Ethiopian to compete in the Winter Olympics. He hopes that there will be more and more Ethiopians competing for the gold. Robel has opened the door for other Ethiopians interested in skiing.
"Endurance sports are what Ethiopians are good at we are born and raised at high altitude. I think if you get an Ethiopian that starts cross country ski racing when he's young, you know maybe 8, 9 years old I really don't see any reason why they cannot be winning medals."
How can you help?
Go to Robel's blog at One Winter, Five Dreams take a few moments to read through the comments. You will find, like I have that Robel isn't just skiing to inspire that kid back in Ethiopia, he is skiing for the world. He has supporters from Canada, United States, New Zealand, and Sweden. If you check his facebook fan page you will find more of his international appeal.
Robel says.
"Thank you all so much for your support. I guess I am not just skiing just for Ethiopia anymore. I will have to be skiing for all of you as well. You best wishes drive me even harder in my trainings so I can get a better result at the Games."
| His fans include family member, former ski student, soccer buddies, and people from around the world who are inspired by his story. His dedication to his sport, and his country has lead to a world wide base of fans that are following his story all the way to Vancouver. Please join in and support Robel as he makes his Olympic dreams come true. Follow his blog, become a facebook fan, and share your messages of support and encouragement.
Remember Robel is skiing for the world! Join ski like a girl in cheering him on as he creates history.
xoxo,
ski girl
p.s.It's not too late to win a trip to the Olympics. Only 3 days left to enter. Panasonic's One Winter, Five Dreams Gold Blogger contest.ski like a girl has entered! Share in the passion and excitement of the 2010 Winter games!
Just for your convenience I've put all the cool stuff about the Panasonic's One Winter, Five Dreams featured athletes in one place. It's one stop shopping. Videos, photos, blogs, and much more.... find it all at ski like a girl'sSquidoo Lens dedicated to One Winter, Five Dreams.
Quick: What's Squidoo?
Squidoo is the popular publishing platform and community that makes it easy for you to create "lenses" online. Lenses are pages, kind of like flyers or signposts or overview articles, that gather everything you know about your topic of interest--and snap it all into focus.
Check it out and let me know what you think! One Winter, Five Dreams Squidoo. Use it to share your messages of support with the athletes as they make their final preparations for the Olympic Games
Tomorrow will be my first day back on the snow since my unfortunate collision with a snowboarder. Wait, that sounds like I hit him and if you've been following my blog you know that he took me down from behind. Somehow as we got tangled together and continued to slide down the mountain my shoulder was partially dislocated. And I've been whining about it ever since. Now it's time to move on. Seriously, it's time.
Well it's been a month and tomorrow I'm skiing and I hate to admit this, I'm a little scared. Okay, that is completely an understatement. I've been having nightmares, a little P.T.S.D. That would be post-traumatic stress disorder for those of you who haven't committed the DSM-IV to memory.
I think I may be overreacting a bit. I just need to suck it up and ski. I just need to be like Clyde.
Watch this YouTube video of Clyde at the Turino Winter Olympics in 2006 Watch Clyde fly through the air Watch Clyde spin and spin an spin Watch Clyde hit the ground hard on his face and kind of bounce on his face
Watch Clyde jump up and wave and wave some more
Watch the crowd cheer
So if you can't tell Clyde is my new hero.
Here is a little more gushing about Clyde and how awesome he is. Last weekend at The Nature Valley Freestyle World Cup in Deer Valley he managed to displace his 10th rib in competition.
From Clyde's One Winter, Five Dreams blog:
"Well, Deer Vally was yet another crazy experience. Yes, I did triples, and I did a triple on snow, in competition, that I had never done before. That's called a "lay-lay-lay" or triple layout. Some old timers may call it the "triple banana", but this was no banana, it was straight. Once again however (like 2006 Olympic games) , "I stuck it in training", but I didn't stick it when it counted...in the competition. Unlike the 2006 games however, I did not come in short. Instead I gave it a bit too much, so to speak. So, I landed, yes, but I slapped back pretty hard. Hard enough to displace my #10 rib."
But that didn't stop him. A few days later he is in Lake Placid at The Nature Valley Freestyle World Cup, flying through the air again.
So tomorrow I will ski. It has been a month and I will be like Clyde and ski. And if all goes well I may even hit the freestyle clinic because you know I really just want to be like Clyde.
I'll keep you updated Clyde and his Olympic dream. His goal is to do two triples and place in the finals. Clyde, ski like a girl is cheering for you!
xoxo,
ski girl
p.s. Support Clyde Getty and the other One Winter, Five Dreams athletes by posting your messages of encouragement on their blogs. ski like a girl is counting down the days til the games. 18 to go! And only 8 days left to win a trip to the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics. Enter Panasonic's Gold Blogger contest. Share in the passion and excitement of the Olympics. Remember Gold Blogger applications must be submitted by January 31st, 2010 24:00 (JST) I'm still working on making my gold blogger dreams come true. Encourage these amazing athletes as they their pursue their dreams and cheer them to victory. Let’s share their passion!
Watch One Winter, Five Dreams athlete, Tugba Karademir's Free Skating Program at the European Figure Skating Championship, as she finishes 12th overall.
Click here to view Tugba's skating career results. She is steadily moving up in the rankings and is the perfect position heading into the Vancouver 2010 Winter Games. Tugba is one of the five athletes featured on Panasonic's One Winter, Five Dreams site. Follow her blog and leave her messages of support as she continues her journey to Vancouver for her second bid at an Olympic gold medal. Congratulations Tugba! ski like a girl is rooting for you!
xoxo, ski girl p.s. Win a trip to the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics. Enter Panasonic's Gold Blogger contest. Share in the passion and excitement of the Olympics. Remember Gold Blogger applications must be submitted by January 31st, 2010 24:00 (JST)
The countdown continues. Only 26 days until the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics begin. And I'm still blogging away about the 5 athletes featured on Panasonic's One Winter, Five Dreams site. In an effort to make it all about me, I've renamed the competition One Winter, Six Dreams. The sixth dream, of course, is mine. Winning the Gold Blogger competition and going to the games! Having the opportunity to represent the online supporters by blogging about the athletes’ activities and competitive performances. The Gold Blogger will also deliver the online messages from the participators of the site to the athletes. Those are my dreams!
You may wonder, "Why should they pick me?"
I'm a little OCD about following the athletes and their blogs and sending them messages.
I'm a ski instructor and spent most of my workdays outside, in the snow, no matter what the conditions. So I have all the winter clothing, gear, (moon boots) necessary... to tramp around the various Olympic venues and keep the world up to date with posts about the athletes.
I'm enthusiastic and passionate about the athletes and their Olympic dreams.
The competition is coming to a close. The 10 finalist will be notified soon. When is soon, I wonder? Today? I check my email hourly hoping to hear from "The Project Office". I check my spam folder in case this very important email somehow gets bounced. Oops, just a little more of my OCD nature coming through.
Here's a little back and forth between me and One Winter, Five Dreams on Twitter. I do realize that I am not the only person they sent a tweet to but I would like to live in the delusion that I'm special and that they want me, yes me to enter. Let me have my Publisher's Clearing House Sweepstakes moment, you know when you get that envelope in the mail that says You are a Winner! And, if you are like me, you completely, 100 % believe that you are a winner. Let me live that moment now. Come on everybody, say it with me, I am the Gold Blogger!
Tweets between me and owfd:
owfd_athletes This is your last chance to win a free trip to the Vancouver Games!! Enter now before the offer expires! http://ow.ly/X1jR
owfd_athletes @leilanigibson Just a few more days till the offer ends! Send your entries now to win a free trip to the Vancouver Olympics!...
leilanigibson @owfd_athletes I entered! Thanks for the follow. Best wishes to the athletes. Less than a month til the Games. Let's share in the passion!
owfd_athletes @leilanigibson thanks for your entry, and the passion. Please continue your favors toward the athletes' assistance.
Okay, I realize that these are probably generic tweets that One Winter, Five Dreams sent out. But here I am just like that little kid in the back of the class room, with my arm raised over my head, jumping up and down, saying pick me, pick me, pick me!
xoxo,
ski girl aka the Gold Blogger (Keep your fingers crossed)
p.s. If you'd like to send messages of support to the One Winter, Five Dreams athletes just post them in the comments and I will make sure they get them. Your voices of support will encourage the athletes in their pursuit of their dreams and lead them to victory. So let’s share their passion!
"The five athletes we have chosen to introduce here have overcome a variety of adverse circumstances in seeking the opportunity to compete in the Olympic Games.They may not be “star” athletes, but like every Olympic contender they have a dramatic story to tell. About having meager finances and putting one’s entire resources intro training. About battling the barrier of an aging body before even beginning to face one’s rivals in sport. About going to the Olympic Winter Games from a country without snowfall.And like every athlete who aims for the Olympic Games, they each cherish a special dream in their hearts.It is the strength to believe in one’s dream that makes it possible to keep on trying and overcome all types of adversity. We want to put these athletes in the spotlight and share their dreams and passion for Olympic competition.
Please add your comments to their blogs. Your voice of encouragement will cheer them on to pursue their dreams of Olympic gold. It will help them stay energized, motivated and focused on winning. In this way, you can participate in the human drama of making dreams come true and the thrill of victory.The Olympic Games are a magnificent stage where athletes and their supporters from around the world can celebrate sports together regardless of national borders and cultural differences."
Here is the third of the five athletes.
Clyde Getty
Argentina
Men's Freestyle Skiing
Clyde Getty (Argentina) Born in 1962 in the United States of America. Age 47
The following is from Clyde's facebook page Clyde Getty/One Winter Five Dream.
Clyde Getty was the oldest ski contender. His performance was not a difficult one but he missed his landing, hit his face hard on the snow and his skis came off from both legs. He finished last. Still, Clyde waved to the crowd that cheered for him, swung his helmet around and even blew a kiss.
Clyde was born in 1962 to Argentinian parents in the United States. After becoming a member of the US Freestyle Skiing Team in the 1990s, he changed his citizenship to Argentina and has since qualified in 2 Olympic Games. He usually spends his time living in Boulder, Colorado, with his loving wife, 3 dogs, 3 parakeets surrounded by nature. He has a great sense of humor, but also an aggressive obsession towards his sport, “The word retirement does not exist in my dictionary”, and a strong love for his country, “The Argentinian made in USA” .
Please join ski like a girl in supporting Clyde's Olympic dreams!
Check out Clyde's blog and share you words of support and encouragement as he continues to focus on his dream. And wish me luck in my dream of becoming the Gold Blogger so I can go to the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics and continue cheering on all of the amazing athletes.
Here's the info on the Gold Blogger.
Panasonic also is conducting a global campaign to select a "Gold Blogger" from among the general web users who share Panasonic's passion and help promote the blog, through their blogging and/or other social media activities. Panasonic will provide a place for the Gold Blogger to exhibit his/her skills. The selected Gold Blogger will be sent to the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games to cheer for the athletes and blog about the athletes' activities and competitive performances. The Gold Blogger will represent all who wrote support messages on the website and hand deliver these messages to the athletes. Roundtrip airfare, local accommodation and Game tickets will be provided by Panasonic Corporation!!!!
xoxo,
ski girl
p.s. Check back tomorrow at ski like a girl for a profile on Tugba Karademir, Turkey, Ladies Figure Skating.
So the really cool thing about the 5 athletes featured in Panasonic's One Winter, Five Dreams is that in addition to being incredible athletes, focused on their dream. They are real people just like us. And when you comment on their blogs they actually write back! And sometimes within those responses you'll find some words of wisdom that can change your life or at the very least your skiing. And isn't that what life is all about- skiing better? Seriously, Clyde Getty just shared his thought process about his take-off with little ole' me!
Sometimes it's all about the landing. Great job! I loved the closeness you have with the Chinese team. This is truly an international experience! Happy New Year and best wishes to you.
And then he took time out of his incredibly busy travel and training schedule and wrote back.
Leilani, you are very right. Landing is 30% of the score! However, a good take-off is what I think about, because, with a good take-off, the execution of the jump is easier, and the landing is usually good. It is best for me to just think about the take-off, the my body will do what it needs in the air. The best is when everything happens well, and it feels like it is in slow-motion. That way you can actually "feel yourself think".
Happy 2010 to you as well, and thank you for your wonderfull wishes. :-{)
"The five athletes we have chosen to introduce here have overcome a variety of adverse circumstances in seeking the opportunity to compete in the Olympic Games.They may not be “star” athletes, but like every Olympic contender they have a dramatic story to tell. About having meager finances and putting one’s entire resources intro training. About battling the barrier of an aging body before even beginning to face one’s rivals in sport. About going to the Olympic Winter Games from a country without snowfall.And like every athlete who aims for the Olympic Games, they each cherish a special dream in their hearts.It is the strength to believe in one’s dream that makes it possible to keep on trying and overcome all types of adversity. We want to put these athletes in the spotlight and share their dreams and passion for Olympic competition.
Please add your comments to their blogs. Your voice of encouragement will cheer them on to pursue their dreams of Olympic gold. It will help them stay energized, motivated and focused on winning. In this way, you can participate in the human drama of making dreams come true and the thrill of victory.The Olympic Games are a magnificent stage where athletes and their supporters from around the world can celebrate sports together regardless of national borders and cultural differences."
Here is the second of the five athletes.
Katharine Eustace
New Zealand
Skeleton
Katharine Eustace, age 34, has only been participating in skeleton for 2 years and is now 1 of the top 3 skeleton athletes in New Zealand. Katharine started out as a sprinter in Track and Field. As Skeleton is not a popular sport in New Zealand, Katharine is having trouble finding sponsors to help her with overseas competitions and training. She will not know if 1 or 2 skeleton athletes will qualify for the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics until the last minute but continues to work on her daily training. Please join ski like a girl in supporting Katharine's Olympic dreams!
Check out Katharine's blog and share you words of support and encouragement as she continues to focus on her dream. And wish me luck in my dream of becoming the Gold Blogger so I can go to the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics and continue cheering on all of the amazing athletes.
Here's the info on the Gold Blogger.
Panasonic also is conducting a global campaign to select a "Gold Blogger" from among the general web users who share Panasonic's passion and help promote the blog, through their blogging and/or other social media activities. Panasonic will provide a place for the Gold Blogger to exhibit his/her skills. The selected Gold Blogger will be sent to the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games to cheer for the athletes and blog about the athletes' activities and competitive performances. The Gold Blogger will represent all who wrote support messages on the website and hand deliver these messages to the athletes. Roundtrip airfare, local accommodation and Game tickets will be provided by Panasonic Corporation!!!!
xoxo, ski girl p.s. Check back tomorrow at ski like a girl for a profile on Clyde Getty, Argentina, Men's Freestyle Skiing.
"The five athletes we have chosen to introduce here have overcome a variety of adverse circumstances in seeking the opportunity to compete in the Olympic Games. They may not be “star” athletes, but like every Olympic contender they have a dramatic story to tell. About having meager finances and putting one’s entire resources intro training. About battling the barrier of an aging body before even beginning to face one’s rivals in sport. About going to the Olympic Winter Games from a country without snowfall. And like every athlete who aims for the Olympic Games, they each cherish a special dream in their hearts. It is the strength to believe in one’s dream that makes it possible to keep on trying and overcome all types of adversity. We want to put these athletes in the spotlight and share their dreams and passion for Olympic competition. Please add your comments to their blogs. Your voice of encouragement will cheer them on to pursue their dreams of Olympic gold. It will help them stay energized, motivated and focused on winning. In this way, you can participate in the human drama of making dreams come true and the thrill of victory. The Olympic Games are a magnificent stage where athletes and their supporters from around the world can celebrate sports together regardless of national borders and cultural differences."
What would it feel like to be the only skier on your ski team? The only skier from your country? Robel Teklemariam is a skier who understands this. He was the only skier who represented Ethiopia at the 2006 Torino Winter Olympics. He was the first athlete to represent Ethiopia in any event at the Winter Olympics. Although he has lived in the United States since the age of 9, he has founded and heads the Ethiopian Ski Association. Robel Teklemariam believes that, if given the opportunity, Ethiopian athletes can become future gold medalists in the Winter Olympics.
Robel said of the 2006 Torino Winter Olympics, "I'm a realist. My goals are for further down the road. I want this Olympics to open my eyes and hopefully the eyes of other Ethiopians." Although he did not get his ticket to the 2006 Torino Winter Olympics he continues to work towards his dream. Robel believes that "nothing is impossible. I continue telling myself to strive until my dreams come true. No matter how long it may take." Once again in 2010 Robel is going solo to the Winter Olympics please join ski like a girl in supporting Robel's Olympic dreams!
Check out Robel's blog and share you words of support and encouragement as he continues to focus on his dream. And wish me luck in my dream of becoming the Gold Blogger so I can go to the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics and continue cheering on all the amazing athletes.
"Panasonic also is conducting a global campaign to select a "Gold Blogger" from among the general web users who share Panasonic's passion and help promote the blog, through their blogging and/or other social media activities. Panasonic will provide a place for the Gold Blogger to exhibit his/her skills. The selected Gold Blogger will be sent to the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games to cheer for the athletes and blog about the athletes' activities and competitive performances. The Gold Blogger will represent all who wrote support messages on the website and hand deliver these messages to the athletes. Roundtrip airfare, local accommodation and Game tickets will be provided by Panasonic Corporation!!!"
a girl's guide to skiing, life, and everything else...
ski like a girl offers
tips on skiing, ski gear, favorite ski resorts, improving your skiing, freestyle tips, yoga and fitness for skiers, and much more! Check back often. Content changes frequently! Become a follower and subscribe to posts so you can receive regular updates from ski like a girl!
Do you have an awesome product you would like me to review? Would you like ski like a girl to host a giveaway? Just let me know!
Clyde Getty replied to 
Posts
