Ella Rodenkirchen - Club Member Snapshot 2008/11/04

Here is my little story about why and how I am still involved. So after your child has finished ski racing ....what do you do? Nothing? No. You start helping out at the races, especially the races where you always wanted to go but never could get there while your child was racing. Lake Louise happened to be a mountain I had skiied at Christmas' as a university student but had not been back. When my daughter, Stephanie Rodenkirchen (now Lowes), was racing there I wanted to go. I was never able to make it. Well thanks to the internet. As an official who does not think they are done. I had experience and some qualifications so I looked where I might be needed. Yes, they did need gatekeepers for the December Noram in 2001 in Lake Louise. Since then I have been going to Lake Louise every year for 5 days to a week and helping out. Actually, I decided to step it up. Since 2001 I have helped at the Men's World Cup race. I have really enjoyed this. Lake Louise is truly a unique mountain. Because it is in a National Park it is a very pristine area. You do not see the condominium developement and the Rockies are breathtaking. The days can be long and sometimes very cold but some of the other days can be absolutely heaven. What has also been fun over the years is seeing familiar faces from the Big White Racers Club coming to help out. Sandy Hales, Linda Sawchenko, Chris Jaegli, Gerry Whittaker and Tom Fydell have been regulars. And this year, Nigel Eggers is coming. Maybe there will be more by the time we get there! Good luck to all the Big White Racers this year. Hope you all have a great season. Ella Rodenkirchen Official Big White Racers - Kelowna Ski Club