March 27, 2014 (Canmore, AB) – Chandra Crawford, 30, of Canmore, AB, who is probably best known for her exuberant and heartfelt singing of the Canadian anthem from atop the podium after she won gold in the Olympic Cross-country sprint at the 2006 Turin Games, told SkiTrax in an exclusive interview that she plans to announce her retirement from competitive skiing. Crawford’s medal was Canada’s second Olympic gold first achieved by the legendary Beckie Scott at the 2002 Games in Salt Lake City.

In her candid interview, Crawford intimated that she had originally intended to compete for another year, but changed her plans mid-season and was happy going into the Sochi 2014 Games with the knowledge that this would be her last international sprint. “It was just the right time for me,” she said.

Other career highlights for Crawford include her first World Cup gold medal in her hometown, Canmore, Alta., in 2008 in the skate sprint event, followed by a second World Cup gold in Lahti, Finland later that season. She also represented Canada at the Vancouver 2010 and Sochi 2014 Olympic Games, where she shared experiencing “…a feeling of having done my all and feeling satisfied with an unimpressive result.”

Crawford plans to become more involved in Fast and Female, an organization she founded that empowers girls and young women through sport, particularly cross-country skiing. The program has become extremely popular across Canada and the US. Fast and Female hosts events led by athletic champions who serve as healthy role models and inspire girls to gain the confidence and leadership they need to reach their full potential in life and sports.

Crawford describes the popularity of the program and her opportunity to be involved as “a dream come true.” Crawford shared that she is currently scouting out post-secondary institutions and plans to continue her education with a leadership and business focus to complement her ambitions for Fast and Female.

Everyone at SkiTrax would like to wish Chandra all the best and thank her for the unforgettable experiences she has shared with us throughout her fantastic career.