Prince George alpine skier Kaitlyn Martin, 14, will be a part of the 2015 Canada Winter Games, whether she qualifies to compete in them or not.
On Thursday, Integris Credit Union officially unveiled a mural prominently featuring Martin at its town centre branch on Sixth Avenue and Victoria Street. The Grade 9 College Heights Secondary school student is hoping to qualify to compete with Team B.C. in the Games in super-G, giant slalom and ski cross.
"I was really excited [to be picked]. It's really cool to have a huge me up in downtown," Martin said. "But it was kind of nerve-wracking, because there is pressure to qualify."
Qualifying for her two downhill events will be based on her cumulative ranking in competition from this year and last year, she said. Her first downhill event this year will be in mid-December.
"I have been downhill racing since I was five," Martin said, but only started competing in snow cross last year. However, she has already carved out success in the sport with a first-place finish in the Western Canadian zone competition.
The qualifying match for the Team B.C. snow cross team will be in January near Kelowna, she added.
Martin's father, Jim Martin, said Integris' support has benefitted local alpine skiing club. The credit union sponsored local improvements like safety netting, race gates and race bibs which will help promote the sport in the region.
Jim Martin was a member of the bid committee that successfully brought the games to Prince George, but he said he never thought his daughter would be featured so prominently as part of the games.
"When I look at that image, all the commitment that families make to support [young athletes]... it's been worth everything," he said.
Kaitlyn is one of four local alpine skiers hoping to qualify for Team B.C., he added.
Dan Wingham, Integris manager of partnerships and business development, said the credit union came onboard to support the games in a big way.
The sponsored ski racing equipment will, "strengthen alpine racing in the region for years, if not decades, to come," Wingham said.
When Integris decided to do a mural, they quickly decided they wanted a young, local, female athlete to be featured prominently, he said.
"We're just so impressed by Kaitlyn's spirit," Wingham said. "We couldn't have a better athlete to showcase. We're just so proud of you, Kaitlyn, and obviously you've been supported by your family and athletic community."
While Martin may be a high-speed competitor, getting permission to put up the mural was an endurance race, Wingham said. Because the sign faces Victoria Street, which is a provincial highway, provincial and local permissions were needed, he said.
"There was a lot of stuff to get it up there," Wingham said. "[But] every step of the way... the city bureaucracy, I don't want to say supported us, but didn't slow things down."
There was clearly support in the community to see the mural done in time for the games, he said.
