Growing up in Banff, big brother Phil and little sister Heidi Widmer chased each other around the frozen Canmore Nordic Centre trails. As they grew older, waiting tables at the family restaurant, they scrimped and saved in order to buy new skis, pay for training camps and attend far-flung races around the province.
But now in order to reach their Olympic dreams in 2014, they’ll need the strength of the community.
The Widmers are hosting a Trail to Sochi fundraiser luncheon on Sept. 23 at Ticino’s Restaurant in Banff. Hosted by Globe and Mail journalist Ian Brown, the $100 a plate dinner will offer a three-course Swiss-Italian dinner, interview with Phil and Heidi and chance to win a three-day heli-skiing adventure at Mike Wiegele’s. They hope to raise $10,000, which will help pay for team fees, housing and other expenses.
For Heidi, skiing with her brother has always been her drive in the sport.
“Since I started skiing, being part of the sport with Phil was a huge motivator. Now I’m getting up to his level, it would be such an honour (to reach the Olympics with him). It’s an honour to ski for Canada, but to do it along with my brother would be extra special,” Heidi said.
The brother/sister combination will likely have to earn their spots at Sochi with Olympic trial races held in Canmore in January, where racers will have two sprint races, a classic distance race and a skiathlon to fill Canada’s remaining spots on the team.
Canada is expected to bring six male skiers to Sochi, including pre-qualified racers such as Alex Harvey, Len Valjas, Ivan Babikov. Devon Kershaw is expected to grab the fourth spot, which leaves room for another sprinter and distance skier. Phil, 29, is Canada’s most experienced sprinter, but will face a challenge from Canmore’s Jesse Cockney.
“I have a clear picture of what I have to do: do well at the trial events. That’s where my opportunity lies,” Phil said.
Heidi wants to join Banff’s Dasha Gaiazova and Canmore’s Perianne Jones on the women’s team, which could have as many as seven skiers in Sochi. Heidi is primarily a sprint specialist, but showed at the 2013 Ski Nationals she can dominate distance races as well. Oddly enough, they’ll battle with another brother/sister combo for the spots: distance pros Graham and Emily Nishikawa.
In the meantime, the expenses continue to pile up.
“Phil and I are both members of the Alberta World Cup Academy. The majority of my monthly expenses go to team fees, rent and being fed,” Heidi said. “The fundraiser will help keep those essentials covered.”
“It allows us to focus on skiing. It takes the stress away. The little things, like buying the good stuff at the grocery store, make a difference,” Phil said.
Phil hosted a similar fundraiser in 2009, but this is the first time the siblings have combined their efforts. Knowing the community is behind them is huge.
“It’s more than a fundraiser. It’s fun to be in an atmosphere that supports you. It speaks volumes to the type of community that is there,” Heidi said.
Phil has given his younger sister plenty of advice about how to cope with Olympic pressure, but it boils down to one word: simplicity.
“Just limit distractions and keep it simple. Try not to get too caught up in it. It is exciting. If you think too much, it’s stressful,” Phil said. “Each year, try and do things bigger and better. Try to improve quality and attention to detail.”
Tickets are available online at trailtosochi.squarespace.com or at Ticino’s.
