WMSC Master Racer Joy Ward-Fera will be inducted into the 2015 Canada Games Hall of Honour. Every two years during the Canada Winter Games, the Hall of Honour recognizes, honours and celebrates exceptional Canada Games alumni who have distinguished themselves as athletes, coaches, officials or administrators.
Fera won gold in dual slalom at the 1971 Canada Winter Games in Saskatoon – she will be at the Games in Prince George, February 11 – 14.
Photo: Joy Fera, Tsawwassen & WMSC, at Kimberley BC [where she learned to ski in 1958!] March 2014, Canadian Masters Alpine Championships – 2015 Canada Games Hall of Honour inductee
Below are a few anecdotes from Joy as she remembers her Canada Winter Games experience:
"Upon arrival in Saskatoon in 1971, I had come down with the measles! I went into the athletes’ sick bay…but after a night or so, I signed myself out [against doctor’s advice!], something that athletes cannot do today!! I did not want a spare for Team BC to replace me! I had no grip strength to hang onto my poles, so I took black electrical tape and taped my pole straps to my gloves!! Fortunately for alpine ski boots, my ankle joints were locked in place! One night, whoever was in charge of making snow, forgot to press the compressed air switch, and all it did was flood water over our venue! That made the gold for us from BC, who were used to powder conditions, even more significant over the skiers from ON and QC, who were used to ice!"
"In January 1971 I qualified for Team BC CWG in Saskatoon. Along with Kathy O’Sullivan and Kathy Young, we won the gold in dual slalom! I was also on the 1972 Canadian Alpine Ski Team [UBC] for the FISU Winter Games in Lake Placid, New York. After placing 12th in the official nonstop, I was taking another scheduled training run, and at one point, looking ahead I saw people crossing the course! I yelled, “Course”, for myself, but I guess they didn’t hear me, as they didn’t move, so I came out of my tuck, caught loose snow with my left ski, and went flying onto my back. I was brought down on a stretcher, barely able to take a breath. There was no team doctor. I could hardly sleep that night, could barely carry my skis from the bus to the rack in the morning, hence I came 25th in the downhill. My best event was slalom, but the coaches could see I was injured so pulled me from that event. A few days later, I raced GS, placing 16th. When I got back to Vancouver, an xray showed a crack to the fifth cervical vertebrae! I was very fortunate!"
The induction ceremony will take place at the Treasure Cove Casino on February 12th, 2015 as part of the celebrations for the Canada Winter Games.
"From 1974 – 1980 I took up rowing, competing in Montreal in 1976 in a coxed four that place 7th, then won bronze at the World Rowing Championships in the Eight in ’77 & ’78, came fifth in the Eight in 1979, and, sadly, the 1980 Moscow Olympic Games were boycotted by 34 countries. I still compete in both sports, but don’t ski often enough!"