Change in weather clears way for Travers’ debut

| 17/02/2010

Cayman Islands News, Cayman Sports News, Cayman Winter Olympian Dow Travers(CNS): Having made history in the Cayman Islands as the country’s first ever winter Olympian by qualifying for the giant slalom, Dow Travers is only days away from his debut in the world’s most famous winter sports event. Despite a long-term ankle injury and training thwarted by the mild weather in Whistler, Travers says he is raring to go. Monday was the first day of a resumed programme thanks to overnight colder weather and the young skier finally got some training on the mountain where he will compete. “I’m feeling good,” said an upbeat Travers.

“We’re just doing our last few days of training. Obviously, we were a little bit bogged down by the weather but now we’re beginning to get into the rhythm of it just coming up into the competition," he said.  “The ankle is a little sore but we’re making sure we’re doing lots of physio every day to ensure there are no ill effects from it. I just hope to do the best I can and make Cayman proud. The majority of Caymanians seem to be pretty excited at having someone in the Olympics.”

Travers also said that it was great to have Cayman’s premier, MacKeeva Bush, and the sports minster, Mark Scotland, at the opening ceremony. “I didn’t actually see Mr Bush but did have lunch with Mark the other day,” Travers added.

Travers’ coach, Gene Bridgewater, also noted that Travers’ ankle was bearing up. “We’re doing physio every afternoon to ensure there’s no problem with swelling,” he said.

The weather has presented a frustrating time for Travers and his coach, waiting for a decent hard, icy surface to train on, and David Carmichael, the Chef de Mission for the Cayman Islands Olympic Committee, said it was too soft for Cayman’s skier to train on when the team first arrived.

“But now it’s snowed the last couple of days, visibility is back after all the fog; the temperature has dropped so Dow is able to go on the hill. Everybody is struggling to get on the slopes and get some hill time and get used to the conditions. It’s icy and granular and all over the place very soft snow,” he explained. “Dow is in good shape. He’s been doing a lot of dryland training, working through his kit, ensuring everything’s alright. His coach, Gene Bridgewater, is happy. They’ve made connections with other teams and jumped in and made training runs with them.”

Travers’ coach, who is an American originally from Boulder, Colorado, but who now lives in Aspen, wears the Cayman Olympic gear with pride and said he is getting lots of double takes.

“Where’s the Cayman Islands, they ask,” laughs Bridgewater. “Also, Cayman pins are a very hot commodity.” Bridgewater had the pleasure of visiting Cayman once when his sister was married there in Smith Cove.

Travers competes down the slopes of Whistler, 80 miles north of Vancouver, on Sunday in the Giant Slalom when the whole island will be rooting for the 22-year-old Brown University student. Although he won’t medal, qualifying is a huge and historic achievement, just to be competing against skiers who were born on slopes and not a flat Caribbean island.  Travers has been competing seriously since he was 14, and on Sunday the culmination of all that dedication will nicely dovetail in the ultimate challenge in the supreme tournament against the world’s best.

Source: Ron Shillingford

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  1. slowpoke says:

     Remember, keep your weight on the downhill ski, upper body has to be still, let the legs do the work, look ahead and most importantly, ENJOY!

    I have a friend who competed in an alpine event in the Olympics many years ago.  He came in last (many crashed – he finished) but the experience is still one of the highlights of his life.

  2. Anonymous says:

    Excellent news, it looks like Carmichael’s turtle stew did the trick! I’ll bet turtle meat is cheaper in Canada.

    Good job Dow. Well done.

  3. Anonymous says:

    Good luck Dow!  Many of us here in Cayman are cheering for you, and we’re proud that you ‘qualified’ for the Olympics. I’m also getting tired of all the comments describing you as "some rich man’s kid".  There are a lot of rich men (and women) in Cayman, and many of their own kids don’t have the drive and ambition that you have shown in training for and pursuing your sport.  I just can’t understand why McKeeva and so many others had to go along on your coattails, while we are having major problems here at home.

    • Anonymous says:

      That is  a very true comment re rich kids , too many of them here on the island are more interested in alcohol , drugs partying and having as many as expensive labels and and being over indulged by mum and dad . 

  4. Anonymous says:

    Dow Travers is a Caymanian and I support him "big time" especially representing our country in it’s first Winter Olympics. Good Luck and I hope the ankle stays strong for you, to allow a positive showing for Cayman Islands.

    Good job CNS. Keep us posted.

  5. Seeing it All says:

    What do you mean he will not medal???….let’s be positive here. 🙂

  6. Anonymous says:

    So we now hear about a long term ankle injury ……?????

     

    • Anonymous says:

      Every competitor at the games will be carrying a long term injury, its normal for these guys so unless it actually stops him competing it is nothing to concern yourselves about.

    • Anonymous says:

      and your point is????

      Go Dow!!! 

      I hope you break you PB (personal best for people who don’t understand)

      All we can ask is that you do your best and enjoy the experience. We know you will make us proud.