CALGARY, AB (June 17, 2010) – Three-time Paralympian and Ski Racing’s 2010 adaptive skier of the year, Lauren Woolstencroft  is retiring after 12 seasons with the Canadian Para-Alpine Ski Team.
 
Woolstencroft won five gold medals at the 2010 Vancouver Paralympic Games last March, making her one of the most decorated female athletes from any country at a single Winter Paralympic Games. She won a total of ten Paralympic Winter Games medals during her career.
 
“I’m very happy. I am making the right decision. It’s a hard decision though as ski racing has been such a huge part of my life for so long” said Woolstencroft who, along with swimmer Stephanie Dixon and athletics champion Chantal Petitclerc, are the only Canadian women to earn five gold medals in a single Paralympics. “It’s been a great 12 years with the team and I’ll miss it very much – however I know I’ll stay involved with the sport for the rest of my life.”
 
Woolstencroft, who competed in the women’s standing category, was born missing her left arm below the elbow as well as both legs below the knees. Over her impressive career, Woolstencroft was crowned IPC World Champion eight times, has four IPC World Cup overall Crystal Globes, over 50 IPC World Cup wins and a remarkable 19 Canadian Championship victories.
 
Woolstencroft completed a Bachelor’s Degree of Engineering (Electrical) with Distinction from the University of Victoria in August 2005. She currently works at BC Hydro in Vancouver, BC as an engineer.
 
“This is definitely a big loss for the CPAST team. Lauren has done so much for the para-alpine sport. She was, and will still be, one of the greatest ambassadors the Paralympic movement has ever had,” said CPAST Athletic Director Brianne Law.
 
“Lauren was a fierce competitor and was never happy unless she gave everything she had on race day. She is an extraordinary woman who managed being a full-time athlete and full-time engineer for BC Hydro. Not many people can say that much,” added Law. “I want to thank Lauren for her dedication and leadership. She had a tremendous career and will be remembered as one of the best, I am sure she has no regrets.”