What started as an interest in cross country skiing, has since led Ava Darbellay to being the only Saskatchewan athlete set to attend the RBC Training Ground Top 100 final in Vancouver, on Nov. 1.

Darbellay transitioned from cross country skiing to biathlon around ten years old and took interest in the shooting aspect of the sport after watching her dad and grandpa hunt.

In the four years since first getting into the sport, Darbellay has excelled. She represented the province at the Western Canadian Championships in Whistler, claiming two gold medals as a member of Biathlon Saskatchewan’s provincial development team. 

That interest in biathlon is what eventually led her to RBC Training Ground, thanks to a suggestion made from her coaches to attend the provincial qualifier, which took place in Regina back in May.

More than 2,500 other athletes ranging in age from 14 to 25 attended 20 provincial qualifying events across the country and tested their speed, strength, power and endurance through various physical tests. The initial program was designed to assess overall athletic abilities, so an evaluation of skill could be conducted by the 15 National Sport Organizations (NSOs) who partner with RBC Training Ground.

“I found the beep test the hardest, but it was also probably my favorite,” shared Darbellay.

She took to the new experience with ease and her performance at the provincial qualifier caught the eye of Luge Canada.

After receiving interest from Luge Canada, Darbellay began exploring a completely different area of sport, which took her from a familiar environment, to racing down a narrow track at intensely high speeds.

“It was pretty crazy. I didn’t really know much about luge before, but I attended a camp this summer, so I was able to learn a bit more about the sport and try it out. We went to Calgary where they have an indoor sliding track at Canadian Olympic Park,” said Darbellay. “I’m looking forward to trying it further.”

From her experience at the provincial qualifier to her exploration of luge, Darbellay has been able to set her expectations and grow her skills ahead of the final. For her, the excitement overshadows any nerves.

And with the final acting as a stepping stone for athletes to receive continued support through the program as an RBC Future Olympian, Darbellay looks forward to the opportunity of achieving her Olympic dream.

“I’ve always wanted to attend the Olympics and I’ve done lots of sports over the years, but I’ve never really known which one could get me there. So, I’m excited to see if maybe it could be luge that can get me to the Olympics.”