Vancouver golden girl Woolstencroft recalls historic haul

There is nothing Lauren Woolstencroft likes more than to take to the Whistler ski slopes – just like she did on her way to an amazing five-gold-medal haul at the Vancouver 2010 Paralympic Winter Games.

Only these days, her thrill comes from having husband Derek and five-year-old son Maxwell alongside her.

“My favourite skiing now is with him and my husband,” Woolstencroft says, 12 years after she became the golden girl of Vancouver.

The electrical engineer was born missing her left arm below the elbow and both legs below the knee. She was younger than her son – just four – when she started to ski.

She would go on to make history.

Woolstencroft became the first Paralympian to win five gold medals at a single Games and she did it in front of her family. Then, to cap it off, she was named flagbearer for the Closing Ceremony.

“All of my family was there in Whistler. That was the best part of those Games – having friends and family there to celebrate. Being flagbearer was an amazing and fun experience. We had such a successful team in 2010 and amazing crowds and support.”

Yet, Woolstencroft nearly did not make it to the Games at all. After gold medals in super-G and slalom plus, a bronze in giant slalom at Salt Lake City 2002, followed by gold and silver in the giant slalom and super-G in Torino 2006, she had decided to call it a day.

“I had thoughts of retirement given I had just graduated from university and thought it was time to switch gears. What persuaded me was the opportunity to compete at a home Games in 2010.

“My goal leading into Vancouver 2010 was not necessarily to win five gold medals, though I thought it was a possibility. My goals weren’t to make history but rather to compete at my maximum potential.  

“Weather, conditions, rivals and risk of injury were all challenges to overcome – and also managing my energy level as that is a lot of racing in a short period. And managing the media, as there was a lot of attention compared to what we typically experience.   

“When I won the fourth I thought maybe winning all five was in reach. I attempted to just focus race to race.”

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The country reacted to the Canada team’s success with joy and pride with the spotlight firmly on the Para athletes like Woolstencroft. She received the Queen Elizabeth Diamond Jubilee Medal in 2012 and she was honoured with a stamp.

“There was definitely a lot more awareness of the Paralympics, in general, and people typically did recognise my name in certain circumstances. The Games were really successful in Vancouver and Whistler so people still talk about it and I still live in this area.”

Woolstencroft was inducted into the Alberta Hall of Fame in 2011 alongside her grandfather, Arthur Davis, and puts her sportiness at his feet. He played tennis, baseball, football and professional ice hockey before becoming a successful seniors golfer.

“My grandfather played hockey and we were inducted into the Alberta Hall of Fame in the same year. Growing up I was active in different sports, such as swimming, soccer, horseback riding. I also enjoy hiking and road and mountain biking.”

Woolstencroft will be a fan watching from the sidelines when Beijing 2022 gets underway and she is delighted that the Games have become more and more successful.

“Maxwell loves watching the Olympics and Paralympics. The sport has changed in some ways, but in many ways it’s just the same. In general, it seems public awareness and media coverage of the Paralympics has increased, which is great for the current athletes.”