Barbara Latkowski
Caledonia Courier
The 2016 Fan the Flame Awards Banquet and Gala sponsored by Canadian Tire will celebrate both exceptional athletic achievement and contribution to sport in Northern B.C. for 2015.
On that list of nominees is Fort St. James speed-skater, Jaimie MacDonald who is currently in Montreal preparing for the World Cup Championships taking place Jan. 15 and 17.
“It’s very cool to be nominated and very exciting to be recognised,” MacDonald said.
The 20-year-old moved to Fort St. James from Stuart in 2000. She began skating in 2001 and the rest is history.
“My neighbours recommended it,” MacDonald said. “I fell in love with the sport and the speed.”
Since 16, MacDonald has been residing in Calgary to undergo intensive training at the Olympic Oval twice a day.
“Of course one day I want to compete in the Olympics. I want that international experience,” she said.
MacDonald is also a student at the University of Calgary where she enjoys medical sciences and anthropology.
She has been nominated alongside two other senior athletes, Sara Beaudry from Prince George for biathlon and Lavanna Laass, also from Prince George for her achievements in judo.
The recipients of the awards will be named at the 2016 Fan the Flame Awards Banquet and Gala which will take place on Feb. 11 at the Prince George Civic Centre. The ceremony will feature Olympic gold medalist, Catriona LeMay who will deliver a keynote address, “The Power of Sport.”
For more information about the Fan the Flame Awards visit:northern@pacificsport.com or call: (250) 960-5342.