Golden opportunity

Seventeen seconds separated Thunder Bay’s Robbi Weldon from the Paralympic podium in Vancouver Saturday.

"I was very proud of myself and with my results," Weldon said. "Some people might be disappointed if you come fourth or fifth in a race but I just see those few seconds give me lots of opportunity for the next four years to put in many more hundreds of hours and work on technique and work towards 2014 and getting on that podium."

The cross-country skier arrived home from Vancouver just after 3 a.m. Tuesday and after a month on the road and nine days of racing in Whistler, Weldon was glad to be home, but she wouldn’t trade the Olympic experience for anything.

"It was a tremendous experience," she said. "Definitely a once in a lifetime thing competing in our home country of Canada."

Living with Stargardt's disease, the 34-year old achieved a personal best in the Women’s 5 km Classic, Visual Impairment race with a time of 17:40:9, placing sixth.

Weldon also came fifth in the Women’s 1 km Sprint Classic and the Women’s 15 km Free.

Weldon’s mother Wendy travelled to Vancouver for the opening ceremonies with her granddaughter; then they made their way to Whistler to cheer her on.

"She did very well," Wendy said of her daughter’s performance. "We’re just all very proud of her and I think she’s going to keep going. I think she’ll bring home a medal one of these days."

Wendy always knew Robbi would do well in skiing since her daughter is very determined.

"She’s always pushed herself," she said. "She’s a go-getter. I’m sure she’s going to the 2014 Paralympics."
Spending time in Whistler with parents of other Paralympic athletes was an eye-opener, Wendy said, stating how strong the athletes are and it’s amazing what they do.

"I didn’t realize how exciting it was until I got out there and was right in the crowd," she said. "It’s just amazing when (Robbi) comes 17 seconds after the bronze."

After relaxing for a bit, Robbi is ready to get started preparing for the 2014 Paralympic Games in Russia.
"I’m glad to be back with my family and children and get back into the swing of things and get back to training," she said.