Q:
Do you have any advice for up-and-coming athletes?
A:
I would tell up and coming athletes to enjoy skiing and the journey as much
as possible. It is important to try to take a lesson from every
day even if it has been a tough day full of tears.
There will be difficult days and moments when you
don’t want to continue, but these are the days when
you have to persevere and be resilient. These hard
days make the great ones even more incredible. If
you are having fun, with a smile on your face, you are
doing what you should be doing, even if there are
tough days along the road.
Q:
How has skiing on the Escarpment helped you hone your skills for the world stage?
A:
Growing up skiing on the Escarpment has helped me get to where I am, both technically and physi-
cally. When I was two years old, I had my first day of skiing at the Peaks, from that point on my family
had a hard time getting me off the hill. Our terrain may not be the longest out there, but it is exactly what
I needed; tough hills where I could get in as many runs as possible in a day. Eventually, I made the Na-
tional team and my on hill training on the Escarpment sadly came to an end. However, now my training
involves a lot of off-snow training. I run the trails up the Escarpment and if you see someone biking intervals
up Scenic Caves road that might be me. A lot of blood, sweat and tears have been shed on Escarpment
soil and that has helped me get to where I am today.
Q:
You sacrificed a lot coming up through the competitive circuit –
would you do anything differently?
A:
I sacrificed a lot to be where I am in sport today, but I wouldn’t change my decision. I have learned so
much about sport, dealing with hardship and problem solving. I find it hard being away from my family
and friends so often, however these are the people that I know will always be there for me regardless of
the hours or miles apart. The only thing that I wish I had learned earlier is to enjoy every moment of life and
be present in that moment. It is so easy to get side tracked by bad results, tough situations and hard deci-
sions, but along the way I learned that when these things become overbearing it is important to take a
minute, look around and realize where I am and how far I have come.
1
st
- World Cup Slalom - Ofterschwang Germany - 2012
5
th
- World Cup Slalom - Are, Sweden - 2012
3
rd
- World Cup Slalom - Zagreb, Croatia - 2013
20
th
place finish - 2010 Olympic Winter Games, Vancouver
Career highlights...
37
Harvest & Holiday 2013
Escarpment Magazine
ESCARPMENT FEATURE
|
on the road to sochi
Erin Mielzynski
Age: 23
Sport & Discipline: Alpine Skiing - Slalom, Giant Slalom
& Super Combined
Home Club: Georgian Peaks Ski Club.
Member of the Canadian Alpine Ski Team
Q:
Who has been your biggest influence?
A:
My biggest influence has been my grandfather, Dan Braniff. My grandpa was a very early member at
the Peaks. My grandpa has a love for life that I look up to and try to emulate. When I was young he told me
to find something that I love in life and find a way to make that my job. He has always been there to offer a
kind word of advice or excitement after a good race.
{
It is important
to try to take a
lesson from
every day even
if it has been a
tough day full
of tears.
p h o t o | A n d y M i e l z y n s k i
p h o t o | N i s s e S c h m i d t
