MOUNTAIN LIFE - Blue Mountains | Fall 2020

37 words :: Allison Kennedy Davies A World Cup winner, three-time Olympian and Team Canada alpine ski team member since 2008, Erin Mielzynski continues to turn in top finishes at slalom races across the globe. Mielzynski grew up skiing at Georgian Peaks while making a name as a competitive water skier. But alpine—specifically slalom—was her real passion. We caught up with the Collingwood resident to find out how she continues to focus and train as a top-calibre athlete in the midst of the pandemic. Mountain Life: I know things have been crazy for you. Tell us what you have on the go. Erin Mielzynski: I got home from Italy two and a half weeks ago, so I spent 14 days of that in quarantine. We’re leaving tomorrow indefinitely, so the last few days have been crazy trying to pack for what could be seven months. We fly to Italy and then we go to Zermatt, Switzerland, for a few weeks. After that the schedule takes an unknown turn. ML: What’s the status of the 20/21 season now? EM: The first race was actually moved earlier, which is tough for North Americans because we hadn’t trained until July. As of now, we have the schedule that was set up last year in January, but it really depends what happens with COVID-19. We usually have every detail planned a year ahead. Some countries may make last-minute decisions and races may move. With quarantine rules, it was too hard for international athletes to race in Canada so those rounds were cancelled. ML: You recently had to contend with COVID-19 protocols while training in Italy. What was that like? EM: You hear the protocols but you don’t really know what you’re going to get until you land. You can plan everything but the unknowns are intimidating. We had major protocols in place but also had to be fluid, to change, adapt and implement new protocols. I was pretty nervous, probably how some people feel now returning to work and school. Once we were on snow, it was awesome. Because skiing is outside, you’re totally alone and our team became our bubble. There is protocol from the start to the finish. You put on your mask when you get to the bottom, if you are stepping into a line or if there are people around. So, it’s always in the back of your head but for us, we’re very lucky to have that freedom on snow. ML: When the pandemic hit, were you able to continue your off-snow training? EM: Our season was cut short very quickly. Within 12 hours, we were heading home. When I got home I took a bit of time. I was exhausted. Traveling at the beginning of the pandemic was scarier. I self-isolated when I got home but my trainer and I kept talking. Usually we’re focused on being ready for a specific date but now that date was unknown. It’s actually really calculated in terms of when we build power, strength and endurance. It’s hard to find that calculation when you don’t know what the end result is. PANDEMIC PREP +WORLD CUP DREAMS Catching up with slalom skier Erin Mielzynski COURTESY ERIN MIELZYNSKI ATHLETE PROFILE