March 15 at Vancouver 2010: Woolstencroft begins quest for perfection

Lauren Woolstencroft would ultimately be crowned Canada’s Golden Girl at the 2010 Paralympic Winter Games and the excitement all started on March 15 with her victory in the women’s standing slalom race at Whistler. 

Born without her left arm below the elbow and both legs beneath the knee, the 28-year-old Calgarian opened with a dominating performance winning by more than six seconds over her closest pursuer. Karolina Wisniewska of Calgary added a bronze for Canada, sharing the podium with Woolstencroft. 

Another Canadian Paralympic giant, Brian McKeever of Canmore, AB, added a gold medal in the men’s 20-kilometre cross country skiing race with guide and brother Robin McKeever. Brian McKeever was at his third Games in Vancouver and would eventually become Canada’s most successful winter Paralympian in 2018 at the PyeongChang Games.