A local alpine skier will be representing Canada during one of the most prestigious Special Olympic competitions in the world this month.
Victoria’s Michael Langridge is one of 14 athletes from B.C. and the only one from Vancouver Island to compete with Team Canada during the upcoming Special Olympics World Winter Games in Austria March 14 to 24.
The 35-year-old, who trains at Mount Washington, was selected for Team Canada after winning three gold medals in the super G, slalom and giant slalom races at the Special Olympics Canada Winter Games in Newfoundland last year.
“He has shown so much dedication to his training. By also training him on Mount Washington, I was able to witness his natural ability and pure joy for skiing which I know will shine through in competition,” said Langridge’s coach Anne-Marie Sutherland. “I’m confident Mike will compete well, but more importantly, I know he will enjoy the whole experience.”
The Special Olympics World Winter Games features 3,000 athletes with intellectual disabilities and 1,100 coaches from 110 countries around the world. Team Canada has the third largest team, with athletes competing in six different sports including cross-country skiing, figure skating, floor hockey, snowshoeing, speed skating and alpine skiing.