Ashleigh McIvor Canadian skier Date of Birth: 15.09.1983 Country: Canada

Biography of Ashley McIvor

Ashley McIvor was born in 1983 in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. Growing up near the fast-paced slopes of Whistler, she started skiing at the age of two, just like many others. However, it wasn't until 2003 that McIvor discovered the discipline of freestyle ski cross. Interestingly, her long-standing dream was to include this sport in the Winter Olympic Games.

While studying at college, Ashley wrote an essay advocating for ski cross to be part of the Olympic program. In her letter to the Olympic committee, she highlighted the sport's incredible spectacle, where four athletes compete against each other on the course.

Throughout her career, McIvor achieved seven podium finishes in various World Cup stages. In 2010, she became a member of the Canadian Olympic team, and these Games were particularly special for Ashley as the Whistler slopes were familiar to her from childhood. By the time of the Olympic races, McIvor was in second place in the overall ski cross standings.

One of the most remarkable moments in Ashley's pre-Olympic career was her victory in the semifinals of the 2008-09 World Cup stage in France. Despite dislocating her shoulder on the course, the brave athlete finished first. Unfortunately, she was unable to participate in the final, but she won the same stage the following year.

Ski cross is generally considered a dangerous discipline, with athletes constantly facing the risk of injuries and falls. However, in 2010, in her hometown of Vancouver, Ashley McIvor overcame heavy snowfall and won her first Olympic gold medal. Despite the strong competition, in the presence of four and a half thousand spectators chanting her name, McIvor secured Canada's sixth gold medal at that point. In an interview, she described this moment as the most amazing in her life, saying, "To win in my hometown! What more could I ask for?"

It is worth noting that McIvor's gold medal was not only her first but also the first-ever gold in the new Olympic discipline of ski cross. Apart from her passion for skiing, Ashley enjoys snowmobiling, mountain biking, surfing, and photography. Additionally, she is a student at the University of British Columbia.