Heroes & Stars
The spirit of Alberta shines through our people; people who inspire each other to realize possibilities and every-day people who become our heroes and stars.
Heroes
Perianne Jones
Sport: Cross-country skiing
Born: February 1985
Residence: Canmore, Alberta
“With respect to being an elite athlete and leadership, I believe that setting a good example is the key”.
My days as an elite athlete are basically the same: train, eat and sleep; train, eat and sleep. It’s awesome, and there’s nothing else I’d rather do.
Being in Alberta is amazing because I’m able to train at one of the best facilities in the world, the Canmore Nordic Centre, with the rest of the National Ski Team. It’s made a huge difference for me, and there’s nothing like training out here and playing in the mountains every day.
My proudest moment as an athlete came when I skied to a sixth-place finish in the team sprint at the World Championships with Sara Renner. Skiing past girls who had Olympic medals was very inspiring.
What I tell young athletes is “go for it . . . anything is possible.” People watch and learn from what you are doing when you aren’t actively “leading” them.
My heroes are Becky Scott, Sara Renner and Milaine Theriault, all of whom have shaped our sport for women. They are exceptional role models and all three are fantastic women.
More about me . . .
Birthplace: Almonte, Ontario
Education: Currently taking post-secondary courses
Other cross-country skiing milestones:
• Started cross-country skiing at the age of three
• Sixth in 1.3 km team sprint event at 2009 World Ski Championships in Liberec, Czechoslovakia
• Eighth in sprint event at 2008 Under 23 World Championships in Val Venosta, Italy
• First in sprint event at 2007 Nor-Am Cup, Mount Ste. Anne, Quebec.
