February 19, 2016 – As we approach the IPC World Cup in Finsterau, Germany starting this weekend, check out this great candid interview with young Canadian Para-Nordic skier Brittany Hudak, as she describes how Collette Bourgonje had an influence on her early career.

Canada's Brittany Hudak © Photo Scott Grant/Canadian Paralympic Committee

Canada’s Brittany Hudak began skiing just four years ago and in that time she has climbed to the top of the IPC Cross-Country Skiing women’s standing leaderboard.

The 22-year-old grew up in Prince Albert, in the region of Saskatchewan, Canada. It was at an early age that Hudak was introduced to cross-country skiing after going on a school field trip.

“The first time I tried cross-country skiing I was about 12-years-old and it was just around the school yard.” Hudak explained. “They let us put on these skis and we basically walked around in the field because the school I went to was outside of town.

“I think we took a field trip to one place called Bill and Joan Jeffrey’s out at Sturgeon River and it was this house with ski trails and there was also a ski chalet there too.”