‘Superheroes’ at the World Winter Games: Australia’s largest ever team out to make history

Alpine skier Lauren Kerjan says her racing suit makes her feel like a superhero.

From the helmet that protects her ears, to the goggles, skis and poles she uses to fly down the slopes, the 31-year-old has never felt more ready for her debut at the Special Olympics World Winter Games.

“I’m very excited, [I know I’ll] enjoy the experience,” she said.

Kerjan has a strong background in skiing. Her grandfather was a cross-country skier, and her family have been regulars on overseas slopes since she was four.

“I got to ski with kids [of a] similar age, I went to ski school every year,” she said.

Little did her family know this obsession would see Kerjan jetting off to the World Winter Games, which begin this weekend in Turin, Italy.

Australia is taking 14 athletes, with Kerjan one of six women on the team.

She was surprised to make the squad, qualifying when she won in her category at nationals in July last year.

“I’m proud and lucky to be selected to represent Australia,” she said.

Like all Special Olympics events, this year’s World Winter Games will be contested by athletes with an intellectual impairment. They will welcome 1,500 competitors from 102 countries, spread across eight sports: alpine and cross-country skiing, DanceSport, figure skating, floorball, snowboarding, snowshoeing and short track speed skating.

Australia is competing in alpine skiing and snowboarding, with competition starting for both on March 11.

“Hopefully I’ll get a gold medal,” Kerjan said.

“But if I don’t medal, I just want to appreciate being there and giving it a go.”

Kerjan is also looking forward to cheering on her teammates, such as Craig Muhlbock as he shreds his way through the snowboarding competition.

“I’m excited to be part of the team and to be a good team supporter,” she said.

All ages, all abilities, no expectations

The World Summer and Winter Games are the flagship events for the global Special Olympics movement, and just like the Olympics and Paralympics, Summer and Winter Games alternate every two years.

Craig Muhlbock has represented Australia in football at two Special Olympic World Summer Games, but it is snowboarding that is taking centre stage for the 40-year-old this week.

A veteran of the sport, Craig Muhlbock is representing Australia at the World Winter Games for the third time, a hat-trick no-one else on the team has achieved.

Australia first competed at the World Winter Games in 2013, held in South Korea, with a team of five athletes, including Craig Muhlbock, who claimed three silver medals in snowboarding.

He is now ready to claim a gold.

“Hopefully I get a medal, let’s see how far I get,” he said.

Watching him go for gold will be his dad, Peter Muhlbock, who is an assistant coach on the team.

Peter Muhlbock has been involved with Special Olympics for as long has his son has been playing sport.

The Special Olympics means a lot to the entire family.

“What sets Special Olympics apart from other [sports] opportunities is that we invite athletes of all ages and all abilities to participate, regardless of how fast they can run, how fast they can swim,” Peter Muhlbock said.

No medal tally goals have been set for the team, the focus is on the athletes improving results and doing their best on the day.

“As far as the expectations for Italy, there are no expectations,” Peter Muhlbock said.

“Obviously, we’ve got some very strong countries we’re competing against, the European countries, Japan, United States, and Canada.”

Unlike the athletes from these countries, the Australian team have faced the challenge of training without snow during our summer.

Many of the athletes rely on other forms of fitness, like football in Craig Muhlbock’s case and cardio exercises in Kerjan’s, to keep their fitness up.

The athletes have also faced the challenge of self-funding their trip to the World Winter Games, despite Special Olympics Australia receiving funding through the Australian Sports Commission, often it is not enough to ensure financial support for competition overseas.

“Occasionally, some athletes will say no to travelling for this reason,” Peter Muhlbock said.

“So, funding could always be better.”

At the end of the day, Peter Muhlbock said it’s about ensuring every athlete enjoys the opportunity they have been given, not just to compete, but to travel and experience being away from home as well, possibly for the first time.

Building confidence

It is the life skills and friendships that really make the World Winter Games and Special Olympics come into its own for athletes with intellectual disabilities, including Craig Muhlbock and Kerjan.

“Craig is a bit shy but being strong at sports have made him more confident,” Peter Muhlbock said.

“We love the fact that he does something he genuinely enjoys.

“We are grateful for an organisation like Special Olympics to give our guys and girls opportunities [like the World Games].”

With the largest Australian team to ever compete at the World Winter Games, the hope is to see the Special Olympics movement grow in Australia.

With around three and a half thousand members, Peter Muhlbock said he would like more athletes with intellectual disabilities and their families to get involved.

“There’s thousands and thousands of people in Australia with an intellectual disability that probably don’t even know about Special Olympics,” he said.

“I would encourage people to get out there, give it a go and see if it suits their child.”

The Special Olympics World Winter Games in Turin, Italy runs from March 8 to 15.