Around the World
Gunning announces her retirement from halfpipe skiing
Decorated halfpipe skier Megan Gunning has officially announced her retirement after a five-year career with the Canadian National Team.
Gunning had several impressive performances in recent years having won a silver (2010) and bronze (2013) medal at the X Games and a silver medal at the 2009 FIS Freestyle World Championships.
“I’ve been thinking about it for a while,” said Gunning. “This year was a big test year after coming back from a knee injury in 2014. I wanted to get strong and return to snow. I think when I hurt my fibula it became a big moment for me. I thought I might be done. It was a scary moment. I didn’t know if I could handle any more of this. It was a major deciding factor. “
The recently turned 23-year-old from Calgary fought back from a severe knee injury in 2014 that caused her to miss the 2014 Olympic Games in Sochi. However, a fibula fracture in April of this year made her reassess the next steps of her career.
“I thought about it every day and came to a decision,” Gunning added. “I spoke about it with my family and thought this would be best for me. I’m stoked about what I’ve done in my ski career and all the people I’ve met. I know they’ll be my friends forever. I’m really excited about the next part of my life.”
Gunning had several impressive performances in recent years having won a silver (2010) and bronze (2013) medal at the X Games and a silver medal at the 2009 FIS Freestyle World Championships.
“I’ve been thinking about it for a while,” said Gunning. “This year was a big test year after coming back from a knee injury in 2014. I wanted to get strong and return to snow. I think when I hurt my fibula it became a big moment for me. I thought I might be done. It was a scary moment. I didn’t know if I could handle any more of this. It was a major deciding factor. “
The recently turned 23-year-old from Calgary fought back from a severe knee injury in 2014 that caused her to miss the 2014 Olympic Games in Sochi. However, a fibula fracture in April of this year made her reassess the next steps of her career.
“I thought about it every day and came to a decision,” Gunning added. “I spoke about it with my family and thought this would be best for me. I’m stoked about what I’ve done in my ski career and all the people I’ve met. I know they’ll be my friends forever. I’m really excited about the next part of my life.”
Gunning began skiing at the age of 10 and was taught by her mom in Ontario. But it was her move to Calgary that really got her interested in the park and pikes scene.
“I spent my childhood following my brother around and trying to be like him. I wanted to do the same activities. I copied him and his friends and that’s how I got into halfpipe skiing. I started doing small competitions and moved on to some high level stuff. It just snowballed to where I am at now.”
Gunning credits her national team coaches, Trennon Paynter and Mark McDonnell, with creating a great team atmosphere and really pushing her to her limits. Gunning also spent a lot of time rehabbing with Adrian King, the team’s Director of Sport Science and Medical Services, due to the knee injury sustained in 2014 and the subsequent fibula injury, and grew close to him.
“Trennon and Marc are amazing,” said Gunning, who successfully came back from three knee surgeries during her career. “Just some of the greatest coaches I’ve ever had. Even Adrian, with all the time I spent in Kelowna rehabbing, his family took me in. Being part of the Canadian team meant that they really care about how you’re doing and they create the best situation for you. I discovered how much they care during my knee injuries and being there for me during my disappointment around Sochi.”
For now, Gunning expects to casually ski when she has the chance but looks forward to the next challenge in her life – a program called NOLS (National Outdoor Leadership School).
Starting in October, Gunning will travel to Patagonia for six months and do mountaineering, sea kayaking, rock climbing, and wilderness first-aid. She will also take a cultural immersion course to work closely with the people of Chile.
“I’m really excited about this and I look forward to pushing my boundaries. I’ve never done something like this before.”
Gunning admits though that she will surely miss her teammates and the atmosphere around the team the most.
“I just love the team,” said Gunning. “I spent more time with them than with my family. I think I will miss them the most. We’re so close and we have gone through so much together. They’re such a great group of people. I will miss halfpipe skiing, but I know I’ll be able to do it every once in a while and just cruise in there.
“Skiing is something that I will have forever. I’m stoked that I live in Calgary and I can do it all the time.”
“I spent my childhood following my brother around and trying to be like him. I wanted to do the same activities. I copied him and his friends and that’s how I got into halfpipe skiing. I started doing small competitions and moved on to some high level stuff. It just snowballed to where I am at now.”
Gunning credits her national team coaches, Trennon Paynter and Mark McDonnell, with creating a great team atmosphere and really pushing her to her limits. Gunning also spent a lot of time rehabbing with Adrian King, the team’s Director of Sport Science and Medical Services, due to the knee injury sustained in 2014 and the subsequent fibula injury, and grew close to him.
“Trennon and Marc are amazing,” said Gunning, who successfully came back from three knee surgeries during her career. “Just some of the greatest coaches I’ve ever had. Even Adrian, with all the time I spent in Kelowna rehabbing, his family took me in. Being part of the Canadian team meant that they really care about how you’re doing and they create the best situation for you. I discovered how much they care during my knee injuries and being there for me during my disappointment around Sochi.”
For now, Gunning expects to casually ski when she has the chance but looks forward to the next challenge in her life – a program called NOLS (National Outdoor Leadership School).
Starting in October, Gunning will travel to Patagonia for six months and do mountaineering, sea kayaking, rock climbing, and wilderness first-aid. She will also take a cultural immersion course to work closely with the people of Chile.
“I’m really excited about this and I look forward to pushing my boundaries. I’ve never done something like this before.”
Gunning admits though that she will surely miss her teammates and the atmosphere around the team the most.
“I just love the team,” said Gunning. “I spent more time with them than with my family. I think I will miss them the most. We’re so close and we have gone through so much together. They’re such a great group of people. I will miss halfpipe skiing, but I know I’ll be able to do it every once in a while and just cruise in there.
“Skiing is something that I will have forever. I’m stoked that I live in Calgary and I can do it all the time.”
Source: freestyleski.com
