May 31, 2011 (Canmore, Alta.) – One of Canada’s most accomplished para-Nordic skiers, Jody Barber, has decided to retire to focus her time on her profession as a teacher while giving back to the sports she loves – cross-country skiing and triathlon, Cross Country Canada announced on Tuesday.

Since joining the Canadian Para-Nordic Ski Team in 2008, the Smithers, B.C. resident racked up six IPCWorld Cup medals and one IPC World Championship podium finish in her short career.

“It’s been an amazing experience. I’ve had great coaching, met wonderful people from all over the world, and had the opportunity to pursue excellence with fantastic support,” said Barber, who competed in the women’s standing division. “But there are many things to do in life and I feel that it’s time to pursue other goals and spend more time with my family.”

In addition to skiing to the podium seven times at IPC competitions, Barber, who is a teacher and mother of five, achieved her dream of representing Canada at the 2010 Paralympic Winter Games in Vancouver-Whistler.

“There are several people in my family who have represented Canada at the Olympic level, and I never imagined I would be one of them but it has been an honour and a privilege,” said Barber, who also competed for Canada at the 2010 Para-Triathlon World Championships in Budapest, Hungary where she won a bronze medal. “The 2010 Paralympic Games were an incredible experience. The number of spectators was unprecedented. I have an enduring memory of the noise the crowds made when I shot clean in the biathlon races, and I loved having my family there.”

Barber has been involved in the sports of Para-Nordic skiing and triathlon for a long time as a competitor and volunteer. In addition to continuing teach science and phys ed full-time at her local high school in Smithers, B.C., Barber also plans to give back to the sporting community in her town by organizing a local triathlon, coaching track and cross-country running, along with jackrabbits skiing in the winter. Hercompetitive juices are still flowing. Barber will also use her spare time to train to run the Victoria Marathon.