es Witt nati ~ SKIING is a passion for the people of » Alberta. _ _ No surprise then that one of Canada’s best hopes for a skiing medal at the upcom- ing Winter. Olympics in Nagano is a born and raised resident of Vermilion, a small town outside of Edmonton. What is a bit surprising, however, is that 23-year-old Becki Scott is a cross-coun- try skier, not a downhill racer. “Where I grew up was pretty-flar, so there weren’t too many alpine hills around,” Smith was saying, * the other day on the phone . from Vermilion. The reason the focussed skier was taking a break from her Olympic craining to talk with a North Shore journalist was her pending appearance in West Vancouver. This Friday evening, Smith and a number of her National Ski Team team- mates will be on hand ar the - Hollyburn Ridge cross- country area for the - National Team Challenge, -an open-to-the-public 4 X 4km relay race. . At last year’s World Cross Country Ski Championships ‘in Trondheim, Norway, Scott placed 25th in a field of more than 200 of the best women skiers in the world. Her S5km time of 14 mintites and 16.1 seconds will be the time to beat at . Friday night’s event at ‘Hollyburn. Ridge. “Pll support anything that promotes the sport, whether for kids, or for women or for anybody,” Scott said of her participa- tion in the National Team Challenge. The former competitive swimmer has her sites set on a strong Olympic performance in Japan next month, noting that the competition will be the same she faced in Norway at the Worlds. “Yr’s the biggest sporting event that comes around for amateurs so I’m pretty excited,” she admitted. “If I put every- thing together, I could have a great result” Scoet said. Scott started ski- ing at “about the same time I started walking,” and by the age of 12 was winning medals at Junior National competitions. At the age of 16 she competed in her first of three Nordic World Junior Championships, and completed her junior career with three national championship titles. An admitted outdoor fanatic, like her parents, Scott is currently working on an Arts degree from the University dining arts business ORTH SHORE ] IFE Ski Hollyburn — th Canada’s team of Waterloo, Skiers of all ages are invited to take part in Friday’s event. Awards will be presented to those who finish 10%, 20% and 30% behind Scott’s 5km time. The relay hits the snowy trail with staggered starts at 7 p.m., with the National team set for a 7:30 p.m. start. Following the racing there will be a post-race buf- fer at Hollyburn Lodge, where the public can meet and talk with Scott and her teammates. To register and for more information call 515-6381. Photo submitted NATIONAL women’s cross-coun- try champion Becki Scott shows great uphill skating form during a recent competition. Wednesday, January 28, 1998 — North Shore News — 17 a. NEWS photo Paul McGrath MEMBERS of Canada’s National Ski Team will take to the Hollyburn trails (above) on Friday evening during the National Team Challenge 4 X 4km relay. Make activity a natural part of your routine IT’S a popular myth in today’s Western society that losing weight automatically equates to improved fitness and that our actual physical appearance is all that matters. Some years ago I was atrending a business dinner and an individual at our table made a derogatory comment about a heavy set female who had just entered the restau- rant. I couldn’t help but sug- gest to this person he look in the mirror before passing, judgment (where he may notice his own double chin, swollen face and huge belly) and think a little before being so callous in the future. . The issue here is not whether the person offering the insult was also over- weight, but that any person thinks it can be acceptable to pass immediate opinion on someone solely because of their body type. I believe if'an obese per- son is aware of all the poten- tial health problems associat- ed with their status yet are truly happy within them- selves they should be allowed co enjoy their fives withour any external pressure or fin- ger pointing. The trouble is, many peo- ple who are fat are not happy, and yet they continue A fit for life! to struggle with the battle of the bulge. It seems the harder they try the more they set them- selves up for failure. It can, and does, take a heavy roll both physically and emotion- ally. We scem constantly to be looking for some help and the companies peddling, mir- acle dicts et al are all too keen to design and market products to fill this void and pocket the profits — thank you very much. The weight-loss industry is worth millions every year to the companies thar sell special foods, supplements, miracle exercise machines and the like to North Americans who are fragile and desperate enough to try anything. The reality is that the ability to successfully adjust your weight to your own desired level has to come from inside you, and trom your own sense of will and character. The most effective way to gain physical wellness and lose excess fat (not necessari- ly weight) is: a combination of reasonable eating and a regular long-term exercise program. Look at physical activity as a natural part of your daily routine just like brushing your teeth every morning, and seck out a wellness pro- gram you can embrace asa ~ permanent part of your own life style. ft doesn’t matter what the exercise is. Just make that one very important decision to do it, do it now, and most importantly — do it for yourself, Make your own decisions about what you want to become rather than reacting to the unrealistic rubbish we read about in fashion and sports magazines. Ir is within the ability of everyone to make a difter- ence in themselves and to enjoy who they are and what they look like. The real tragedy is that some person will read this article, believe in it — and do nothing! Just make sure you're not one of those people! A thought: “The will to win is not nearly as impor- rant as the will to prepare to win.” Shane Collins is a physical trainer aud athletic coach as well as. an accomplished ultra endurance runner and marathon swimmer. The West Vancouver resident is the pres- ident of Pacific Bodyworks and can be reached at (604) 921-0726.