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| Sonja & Ina |
QUICK FACTS
Name: Sonja Gaudet
Sport: Paralympic Wheelchair Curling
Nickname: The Brain – she invented a piece of equipment that changed her game and made her a winner.
Background: Got back into sports five years after becoming paralyzed in a horseback riding accident. Began with wheelchair basketball and tennis, but after trying curling, realized it was the sport she connected with most naturally.
Medals: Four golds: 2006 and 2010 Winter Paralympic Games, 2009 and 2011 World Championships.
HOW SHE DOES IT
With her self-designed "balance post". Made from an ergonomic, lightweight aluminum, it features a custom clamping system designed to her specs. It's attached to the left side of her wheelchair, and allows her to alter her physical delivery of the stone so that she can sit up straight, the most crucial ability in the act of curling. And one that puts her in the ideal position for accuracy and focus.
TRAINING REGIME
Eight months per year - Three ice sessions per week, two gym sessions per week. Four weeks away at international competitions. Forty days away at training camps and competitions.
4 comments:
Nice to see Sonja attribute her success to the Eales off-side Brace, something that I have long promoted and urged her and the CCA coaches to adopt several years ago as a balance aid especially when throwing up-weight shots.
Too bad she was not the first athlete in a wheelchair to use it in competition but feels need to take credit for it.
Sonja statement is the A typical thinking of the national team players! Arrogant! F------ Pi_____
Something needs to change and change soon!
I suspect the piece allows some poetic licence to the brace story, NOT Sonja being a f......p......,
with atypical thinking of the National Team....
Eric I am sure, designed the brace, but Sonja's use and success has brought it to the forefront...
Congratulations to both Eric and Sonja.
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