Hometown Olympian’s success inspires youngsters with Saskatoon Freestyle Ski Club

Maïa Schwinghammer is developing quite a following back home in Saskatoon after her Olympic debut in mogul skiing.

Young members of the Saskatoon Freestyle Ski Club say they’ve been inspired by her success, and plan to watch closely as she heads into dual moguls competition on Saturday.

Jensen Kristoff, a young skier with the club, said he got to interview Schwinghammer with his class in school.

“I think I felt the most touched when she said that we can do anything that we put our mind to,” Kristoff said.

“I can’t wait to see in the next four years what’s going to happen. I just have such high hopes and I think she’s gonna be up there.”

Crystal Dahl is president of the club, which operates out of Optimist Park. Potential is what she sees in the kids, she said.

Canada’s Maïa Schwinghammer places 5th in Olympic moguls

“Watching a girl from Saskatchewan come fifth in the world from the Prairies is quite exciting,” Dahl said.

“The athletes are at a slight disadvantage from the Prairies, but it’s all good. We have a great park … We’ve got a great team here at Optimist as well that keeps the hill going for the athletes.”

Schwinghammer had a ski day with the club around Christmastime, and the kids were pumped, Dahl said.

“The camaraderie of this sport is like nothing I’ve ever seen. I think that made the draw to freestyle a little bit bigger here in Saskatchewan, especially now that Maïa’s placed fifth. The community has rallied behind her.”

Ava Schwinghammer, 16, is a relative of Maïa’s, and has also been competing in the International Ski and Snowboard Federation for moguls.

“Maïa and my uncle Rick were huge inspirations, they kind of got me started,” she said.

“It was super exciting, super cool. I was so proud and I was just really impressed. It’s really inspiring for me.”