Lauren Woolstencroft

At the Paralympic Games winter Games in Vancouver in 2010, Lauren became the first Canadian Winter Paralympian to win five gold medals at a single Games and was subsequently named Canada’s flag bearer for the closing ceremonies. Lauren also competed in the 2002 and 2006 Paralympic Games and has a total of 10 Paralympic medals – 8 gold, 1 silver and 1 bronze.

Lauren was born missing her legs below the knee and left arm below the elbow. She started skiing in Whitefish, Montana on a family ski holiday at the age of four. At 14 years old, Lauren began racing with the Alberta Disabled Ski Team.

Lauren was a member of the Canadian Para-Alpine Ski Team (CPAST) from 1998 until her retirement after the 2010 Paralympic Games. She won over 60 World Cup medals, 8 World Championship titles, 10 Paralympic medals.

After the 2010 Paralympic Winter Games, Lauren’s achievements continued to be recognized.

She was named one of the most influential women of 2010 by the Canadian Association of Advancement for Women (CAAW) and The Globe and Mail named Lauren Woolstencroft among Canada’s top “Power 50” in 2011.

Lauren was inducted into the Alberta, British Columbia and Canadian Sports Halls of Fame in 2011 followed by the induction into the Canadian Paralympic Hall of Fame. Lauren was also awarded the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal in 2012 and the Meritorious Service Medal in 2016 for her contribution to Paralympic Sport.

Other highlights included being a member of the CBC’s broadcast team for the 2014 and 2018 Paralympic Games. Lauren was also featured in Toyota’s Global “Start Your Impossible” campaign where Lauren’s “Good Odds” commercial was aired in 2018 during the Super Bowl, the Olympics and Paralympic Winter Games.

Off the slopes, Lauren is an electrical engineer and was a Founding Member for ViaSport – a non-profit agency leading the transformation of amateur sport in B.C. Lauren is a mom to Maxwell and a wife to Derek. Born and raised in Calgary, Lauren now resides in Squamish, B.C.

Highlights

Canada’s most decorated Paralympic athlete.

Eight (8) gold medals with a record five won at the 2010 Paralympic Winter Games.

Multiple World Championship and World Cup titles.

Inducted into the Canadian Paralympian Hall of Fame (2011).

Please Note: The ski information gathered here is compiled from a number of sources; it may not be inclusive of all accomplishments.
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