Sarah Conrad named to Olympic team

Joanne Oostveen - The Weekly News
Dartmouth's own Sarah Conrad is headed to the Winter Olympic Games.
The 24-year-old snowboarder said there was definitely a big weight lifted off her shoulders when she got the official word last week.
"Competing in Torino was unexpected. Vancouver is really what I had my eye on, so I'm very proud," she said in an interview from Aspen, Colo. where she is competing in the Winter X Games.
Conrad was one of 18 riders named to the team and is currently ranked as Canada's top female in the half pipe.
She was No. 1 on the qualifying list just before the announcement was made and although she had an almost guaranteed spot because of her results in the World Cup race last year she said she was relieved to have the pressure taken off her shoulders.
"I was lucky enough to have a few good results under my belt from 2009, so I had a head start going into these last few qualifying events, so a lot of the pressure was off me," she said.
"I don't think I've had any huge struggles, but sometimes it's hard to find an Olympic calibre half pipe to train in."
She began snowboarding in 1998 at Martock and said her parents have always been behind her riding.
She also credits her twin brother Jon for pushing her to do her best.
The women's half-pipe event will be held in West Vancouver on Feb. 18, but Conrad said she hopes to get some serious training in beforehand.
"Right now in Colorado I'm competing in the Winter X Games," she said. "I was invited last year but couldn't make it, so I'm really excited this year to be able to attend. This X is a huge TV event for the States and I'd say it's the closest event to the Olympics, in both the competition level and organization. There is scaffolding, banners, security and athletes everywhere.
"In Calgary next week I'll be competing in the Canadian Open, another pro contest, nothing to do with the Olympics, but it does mean that there will be an Olympic-size pipe in competition shape, so I hope to get some essential training in."
Conrad is one of 10 snowboarders headed to Vancouver that have Olympic experience. She finished 15th in the halfpipe at the 2006 Olympics in Torino, Italy.
She said Nova Scotia has sent a half pipe athlete to every Olympic Games so far.
"That's pretty crazy, if you think about it," she said. "My advice to any person would be to not give up, have fun riding because you never know where you will end up."
joanneoostveen@accesswave.ca