QUICK FACTS
Name: Viviane Forest
Sport: Paralympic Skiing
Nickname: The Falcon – She can soar down a mountain up to 120km/hr.
Background: Started skiing when she was six years old. Has four percent of her normal vision. Played Goalball for Canada from 1997 – 2005. Switched to skiing in 2007. Won 13 out of 14 races her first year.
Races : Downhill, Super G, Super Combined and Giant Slalom.
Medals: Seven, including one gold, three silver, one bronze from the Vanvouver 2010 Paralympic Winter Games, two gold from the Paralympic Games in Sydney 2000 and in Athens 2004. First female Canadian Paralympic athlete to win gold in both Winter and Summer Games.
HOW SHE DOES IT
With a sighted guide who skis just metres ahead of her. The guide must be a better technical skier, as she needs to ski at speeds up to 120 km/hour while quickly glancing behind at Viviane to guide her down the racecourse. They use a two-way radio to communicate. Her guide tells her when to turn around the gates, when the course terrain changes and even when to stop.
TRAINING REGIME
Dry land trains from May to September. On-snow trains from August to April. Following the snow from North America to Europe and South America. A combination of aerobic and anaerobic plus strength and agility training builds the stamina she needs for the varying course conditions on race day. Weight training on uneven surfaces strengthens her legs, core and back and at the same time hones her balance.
"IF YOU'RE COMFORTABLE, YOU WON'T WIN. YOU NEED TO FEEL ON THE EDGE OF CONTROL." – V. Forest
SPONSOR SUPPORT
"I am excited to be selected for the RBC Olympians program. RBC is a leader in the community through their corporate responsibility, event contribution, and support of sport. They value the contribution that athletes make to inspire and motivate Canadians".
WHAT KEEPS HER GOING
Because they told her, "you can't". Because failure is not an option. Because she loves speed.
"MY BIGGEST FEAR: FAILURE." – V. Forest
GETTING INVOLVED IN PARASPORT
- Click here to explore the CPC's Image Bank for photos of Viviane Forest in action!
- Interested in getting involved in Para-Alpine Race Skiing, or learning how to ski? Click here to visit the website of the National Sport Organization for Para-Alpine Race Skiing, Alpine Canada. Click here to visit the website of the National Sport Organization for introductory skiing, Canadian Association for Disabled Skiing. Visit both to learn how to get involved as an athlete, coach, guide or volunteer!
