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Born missing her left arm below the elbow as well as both legs below the knees, Lauren Woolstencroft could have let that stop her from joining the world of downhill racing.
But it's a good thing for Canada that she didn't.
Born in Calgary, Lauren started competitive skiing at fourteen, and says that "competing in sport taught [her] about goal setting and being organized." Which she'd have to be - off the slopes, Lauren graduated with a degree in electrical engineering from the University of Victoria, and works for BC Hydro.
Her career on skis started in Salt Lake City, where she represented Canada as part of the 2002 Paralympic Team, winning two golds and a bronze - then she moved on to Turin in 2006, winning gold in the Giant Slalom and silver in the Super G. After Turin, Lauren considered retiring... and again, it's a good thing for Canada that she didn't.
Nicknamed 'Pudding' by her teammates due to a sweet tooth, she took Vancouver by storm, winning five gold medals for Giant Slalom, Slalom, Super-G, Downhill Skiing, and Super Combined. She became the first Canadian to win over three golds at the same Winter Paralympics.
With her fourth gold medal, she helped Canada set a record for most gold medals at any Winter Paralympic Games, and with her fifth, she set the record for most gold medals won by any Winter Paralympian at a single Games, and tied the record for gold medal haul of any Canadian Paralympian at a single Games. Her five gold are also the record for any Canadian Winter Paralympian or Olympian.
Lauren has also been named the Paralympic Sport Awards 2007 Best Female Athlete, and was inducted into the Terry Fox Hall of Fame in 2007.
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