Press Release
New wheels for VanderBeek
MetroValley Newspaper Group
Fri 24 Oct 2008
Page: 1
Section: Chilliwack Progress - Community
Byline: Ashley Wray
If an Olympian ever needed another reason to go faster, then this is it. Local Olympian Kelly VanderBeek, who is part of the Canadian Alpine Ski Team, was given the keys to a 2009 GMC Acadia on Friday morning for her achievements in downhill skiing.
"It's quite something," she said as she was being shown the ins and outs of the shiny new car that is hers for a year.
"I'm going to have to go faster this year so I can get another one next year, " she joked. "I mean on my skis ... not in the car."
This is the second time VanderBeek has been awarded a one-year lease from Mertin GM in Chilliwack, as a part of a Canada-wide recognition of the top seven alpine skiers. Every year General Motors provides a vehicle to a member of the Canadian National Alpine Ski Team who wins a World Cup race, earns a podium at the World Championships or finishes in the top 10 season ranking. VanderBeek qualified for the car this year by finishing fifth in the world in downhill skiing.
"It's important that we recognize that there is a world class athlete that lives here in Chiilliwack," said Paul Mertin, before presenting VanderBeek with the keys. "As Canadians, as Chilliwackians, and as a GM dealership, we think it's important for Kelly to realize her dream, and for us to support her, and do what we can to help her reach the podium in the upcoming Olympics and competitions."
Between her competitions and constant training, which is usually abroad, VanderBeek finds comfort in returning back home to Chilliwack.
"I really love Chilliwack. I moved here from Kitchener, Ontario about five years ago, bought a house three years ago, and just recently got engaged four days ago," she said excitedly, looking at her kayaker fiancee and fellow Olympic athlete David Ford.
"I moved here for David, so we could be close to the water where he practises, and I have just fallen in love with the city," she continued. "I love being close to the water, the mountains, and relatively close to the city. It's a nice community, and it's easy to relax after the traveling and competitions."
VanderBeek has recently returned home from training in Italy and Austria for the past month and a half. And in the next few days the 25-year-old will be leaving Chilliwack again to travel to Toronto and Calgary. VanderBeek's next big competition is in December when she will be competing in the first World Cup in Lake Louise.
"I love racing in Canada," she said. "I love being in Canada, I love being cheered on by Canadians, and I love being around Canadians."
From there she will continue her jet setting, traveling from France, to Italy, Sweden and Germany to keep up her training.
New wheels for VanderBeek
MetroValley Newspaper Group
Fri 24 Oct 2008
Page: 1
Section: Chilliwack Progress - Community
Byline: Ashley Wray
If an Olympian ever needed another reason to go faster, then this is it. Local Olympian Kelly VanderBeek, who is part of the Canadian Alpine Ski Team, was given the keys to a 2009 GMC Acadia on Friday morning for her achievements in downhill skiing.
"It's quite something," she said as she was being shown the ins and outs of the shiny new car that is hers for a year.
"I'm going to have to go faster this year so I can get another one next year, " she joked. "I mean on my skis ... not in the car."
This is the second time VanderBeek has been awarded a one-year lease from Mertin GM in Chilliwack, as a part of a Canada-wide recognition of the top seven alpine skiers. Every year General Motors provides a vehicle to a member of the Canadian National Alpine Ski Team who wins a World Cup race, earns a podium at the World Championships or finishes in the top 10 season ranking. VanderBeek qualified for the car this year by finishing fifth in the world in downhill skiing.
"It's important that we recognize that there is a world class athlete that lives here in Chiilliwack," said Paul Mertin, before presenting VanderBeek with the keys. "As Canadians, as Chilliwackians, and as a GM dealership, we think it's important for Kelly to realize her dream, and for us to support her, and do what we can to help her reach the podium in the upcoming Olympics and competitions."
Between her competitions and constant training, which is usually abroad, VanderBeek finds comfort in returning back home to Chilliwack.
"I really love Chilliwack. I moved here from Kitchener, Ontario about five years ago, bought a house three years ago, and just recently got engaged four days ago," she said excitedly, looking at her kayaker fiancee and fellow Olympic athlete David Ford.
"I moved here for David, so we could be close to the water where he practises, and I have just fallen in love with the city," she continued. "I love being close to the water, the mountains, and relatively close to the city. It's a nice community, and it's easy to relax after the traveling and competitions."
VanderBeek has recently returned home from training in Italy and Austria for the past month and a half. And in the next few days the 25-year-old will be leaving Chilliwack again to travel to Toronto and Calgary. VanderBeek's next big competition is in December when she will be competing in the first World Cup in Lake Louise.
"I love racing in Canada," she said. "I love being in Canada, I love being cheered on by Canadians, and I love being around Canadians."
From there she will continue her jet setting, traveling from France, to Italy, Sweden and Germany to keep up her training.