If luging is big business among powerhouse European nations, it's more of a cottage industry in Cochrane.
If luging is big business among powerhouse European nations, it’s more of a cottage industry in Cochrane. But that didn’t stop Cochrane luger Tristan Walker from competing in the 2014 Winter Olympic Games and his family from going to cheer him on.
Sliding in his second Winter Olympiad in doubles luge, along with Calgary teammate Justin Snith, the 22-year-old Cochranite has his family and hometown in his corner as he shoots down the track at the Sanki Sliding Centre in Sochi, Russia.
That grassroots support is embodied in the Canadian flag that made the rounds in town for the last three weeks, being signed by approximately 500 Cochranites and raising more than $3,000 for Walker’s Olympic effort.
Hatched at Cochrane Coffee Traders by Allyson Comba, the idea quickly took root as Cochrane Mayor Ivan Brooker was first to put the pen to the Maple Leaf, with each signature accompanied by a small donation.
“It just boils down to having a familiar face, somebody you personally know you can back 100 per cent, ” Brooker said. “You’re not only proud of Canada, but you’re proud of the fact your home town has an Olympic athlete and hopefully a gold medalist. ”
The support was flowing as Tristan’s dad Bruce, mom Karen, younger-brother Lochlan, older-sister Asia and grandmother Jean Bolger all attended a quaint gathering Feb. 9 at the busy downtown coffee boutique to accept the flag on Tristan’s behalf.
Walker’s parents are in Sochi where they will present him Cochrane’s patriotic contribution to his Olympic effort.
Brooker also presented a Cochrane city flag, letters of encouragement from the town signed by the mayor, and city pins and coffee mugs for the Walkers to deliver to their luging son in Sochi.
“I’m probably going to be missing school to watch him slide, ” said Lochlan Walker, who will be viewing his older brother on television, not at Sochi with his parents. “It’s huge for him. It’s huge for us. It’s huge for the Town of Cochrane. They all bonded together to do something like this. It just means a lot to everybody here. ”
With the flag spread out on a table and family members poring over the signatures on it, dad Bruce was looking forward to arriving in Sochi to hand Tristan his hometown’s Canadian flag.
“It’s going to be good, ” said Bruce Walker. “He’s really excited. He’s been really hard to talk to the last couple of days. He’s focused on what he’s doing. ”
