Written by Elizabeth McLeod
“I’m not home very much and I have very little free time. I make sure to make the most of the time I do get with my friends and family at home because once I get on the road there’s no room for anything but focus.”
Many athletes dream of one day competing in the Olympics.
There are very few, however, who ever reach the level to experience it. The abundance of steep competition provides challenging odds for any athlete, and those who do reach this level can truly claim to be the best of the best.
The road to the Olympics is by no means a short one, and there are years of training and competition involved in making it to the top.
Jeff Batchelor, 21, is a halfpipe snowboarder from Oakville and has experienced this competitive process to its full extent. And now, Batchelor is on his way to the Vancouver games. Batchelor fills one of only three spots on the Canadian team for the halfpipe event, a team that was only finalized this past Monday after the World Cup event in Stoneham, QC.
“The team is picked last minute in order to ensure the hottest talent at the time,” he said. “In order to make it, you must place [in the] top five at least two times in the World Cup or equivalent events, it is an extremely competitive situation.”
Batchelor has been competing and training on the World Cup circuit for four years, has been snowboarding since he was eight, and skied since he was two.
Considered by many to be one of the most promising talents in this event, Batchelor outlined how he will prepare for the competition in the next two weeks.
“I have to try to be on snow as much as possible and try and live day to day without getting ahead of myself,” he said. “It’s crucial to keep a level head when training and competing.”
Batchelor will travel from Quebec to Calgary for training until Feb. 10, at which time he’ll be on his way to Vancouver. The journey to the Olympics is one in which the majority of time is spent on the road competing and training. The schedule is rigorous.
“I’m not home very much and I have very little free time,” he said. “I make sure to make the most of the time I do get with my friends and family at home because once I get on the road there’s no room for anything but focus.”
The support of friends and family are crucial factors for Batchelor, as well as the support that he receives from corporate sponsors.
“[The sponsors] keep me alive financially and accommodate many of my needs, in terms of equipment and attire as well as help to coordinate events,” he said.
In return for sponsorship, athletes are expected to stay in a positive media light, portray their brands well and be a positive roll model.
Apart from being exceptional athletes, Olympians are people. Snowboarding aside, Batchelor is interested in skateboarding, art and is a self-proclaimed Rock Band expert and enthusiast. Queen’s University is currently holding his spot in the commerce program while he pursues his goal of Olympic gold.
“Obviously I’m going for gold. I’ve got to make it really, really big,” said Batchelor of the routine he has planned for Vancouver.
Competition will be fierce and in order to beat his top competition, star American snowboarder Shaun White, Batchelor will have to pull out all the stops.
This is an all or nothing competition for many athletes, including Batchelor, and only the gold will do. Competing in his first Olympics in his home country, Batchelor commented on the hometown support.
“It will be amazing,” he said. “We will get the full experience as well as a huge base of support from the fans. While it would be nice to travel and be received abroad, being in Canada for the Olympics will be pretty incredible.”
The halfpipe event takes place on Feb. 17 at the Cyprus Hill venue. Batchelor will be accompanied in Vancouver by his family, friends and thousands of athletes and fans from around the world.