Point Pleasant resident Jacqui Kapinowski will be going for the gold this month.
As a member of the U.S. Wheelchair Curling Team, Ms. Kapinowski will be taking part in the 2009 World Games in Vancouver later this month, which will be live-streamed on the Internet.
Ms. Kapinowski, 46, was diagnosed in 2001 with Stiff Person Syndrome, a progressive neurological disorder that makes walking extremely difficult.
Ms. Kapinowski, a former marathon runner, has taken her passion for competition and turned it into a successful sports career, having been a part of the curling team last year, as well.
The four-person team, including one alternate, brought home the bronze medal during the 2008 World Games, which were held in Switzerland.
Returning
teammates Augusto Perez of East Syracuse, N.Y., James Pierce of North
Syracuse, N.Y., James Joseph of New Hartford, N.Y. and
Ms. Kapinowski, will lead the way into the upcoming games. Patrick McDonald,
of
Orangevale, Calif., was named the team's
alternate.
The team will represent the USA during the 2009 World Wheelchair Championship, Feb. 21 to the 28, in Vancouver, British Columbia, as well as at the 2010 Paralympic Winter Games, March 12 to 21, also in Vancouver.
According to Ms. Kapinowski, many locals have expressed an interest in watching the competition as it is happening, something they can do on the Web.
“A lot of people stop and talk to me while I am training [in Point Pleasant] and tell me they are interested in watching the games.
Ms. Kapinowski said anyone can watch the games for free by going to the Web site www.mogulus.com/2009wccurling.
“There is a three-hour time difference, so if the match says it starts at 12:30, it will actually be 3:30 here,” she said.
Ms. Kapinowski said the support from the community has been “unbelievable.”
“It’s truly amazing that people have such an interest and are showing the team so much support,” said Ms. Kapinowski. “I think it is great that people want to watch and follow the team.”
She also pointed out that people can send messages to the team via the Internet as they are watching the game.
“It’s pretty amazing,” she said.
This year, the team from the US will be going up against several different counterparts from all over the world, including two that will be competing for the first time.
“We feel very strong as a team and are confident, but you never know,” said Ms. Kapinowski. “China and Germany are new this year, so we are going to work hard to give 110 percent.”
With several months of training under the team’s belt, Ms. Kapinowski said she hopes the team from the US will be able to bring home the gold, following their bronze win last year.
“I want to bring home a gold medal and make the community proud,” said Ms. Kapinowski.