CATCHING UP WITH... THE FREESTYLE SKIER’S LATEST TRICK: ACTING AS AN ATHLETE ROLE MODEL AT JANUARY’S WINTER YOUTH OLYMPIC GAMES BY BRIAN PINELLI For more than a decade on the World circuit — and on trips to three Olympic Games — Shannon Bahrke brought an infectious enthusiasm, and unmatched zeal to her craft, both on and off the mountain. The re- tired freestyle skier was like a kid in a candy store while tearing up bumps on the world’s most demanding mogul courses – always displaying a wide smile and bubbly demeanor in the finish area regardless of the result. Considering these personality traits and her competitive tenacity, Bahrke Happe (married to Matt Happe in 2010) seems to be a perfect fit for her newest endeavor — serving as an athlete role model at January’s first- ever Winter Youth Olympic Games (WYOG) in Innsbruck, Austria (host of the 1964 and 1976 Olympic Winter Games). “I really hope to feel the Olympic Spirit that has lived within me for so many ears and hopefully pass that on and light that fire within these athletes, get to know them, and support and cheer for them over the upcoming years,” said Bahrke Happe, the 2003 World Cup champion, about her up- coming challenge. “I’m really excited about making new friends and seeing this next generation of athletes come through.” Bahrke Happe, who won a silver medal at the 2002 Games and added a bronze in 2010, was one of 15 prominent winter sport athletes, all Olym- pians, chosen by their respective International Federations to fulfill these important positions. The inaugural winter showcase event, sanctioned by the International Olympic Committee, will take place from January 13 to 22 with more than 1,000 athletes from 80 countries participating. Aiming to make an impact upon these young and rising talents, the ath- lete role models will attend competitions, spend time with competitors at he Youth Olympic Village and offer insight and perspective from their own personal experiences, dreams and hardships during forums in Innsbruck. They will also contribute to the Culture and Education Program, which will focus on Olympism and the Olympic values, skills development, healthy lifestyles and wellbeing, social responsibility and expression through so- Bahrke Happe lights up another finish area at Vancouver. IN TERNATIONAL OLYMPIC COMMIT TEE Shannon Bahrke HappeSkiRacing.com OCTOBER 31, 2011 | 62
