Like most Canadians, Merren deBellefeuille has been glued to the TV watching the 2018 PyeongChang Olympics.

But for the 14-year-old Comox snowboarder, it was a bit of preview of what was to come this weekend as she represents Vancouver Island- Central Coast Zone 6 in her first multisport competition at the B.C. Winter Games in Kamloops. In fact, it is her first snowboard competition period.

B次元官网网址淚t is really amazing. I still have slopestyle tomorrow (Saturday) but just coming and competing here it is such a great experience. The Opening Ceremony was so cool, it is like a mini-Olympics. The real Olympics are happening now and you are at home watching that then you come here and get to compete, so you get to see kind of what it is like,B次元官网网址� said deBellefeuille. B次元官网网址淚 feel like if I went to the Olympics in the next four to eight years, I would love to have gone here first so I know what it is like.B次元官网网址�

deBellefeuille is the only athlete in Zone 6 competing in snowboard at the Games. But it isnB次元官网网址檛 lonely at the top B次元官网网址� of the hill.

B次元官网网址淵ou are all staying together and get to know each other. At the end of the run you all high-five and say B次元官网网址榞ood jobB次元官网网址� to the other people you are racing. It doesnB次元官网网址檛 really matter who wins or loses. We all did it, we all made it here,B次元官网网址� said deBellefeuille. B次元官网网址淚 am just really proud to be here and holding up snowboard for my Zone at the B.C. Winter Games.B次元官网网址�

deBellefeuille competed in snowboard cross on Friday, and although she didnB次元官网网址檛 medal she soaked it in as a learning experience.

B次元官网网址淢y legs were shaking at the end. It didnB次元官网网址檛 even feel like it happened because it went by so fast,B次元官网网址� said deBellefeuille who was beaming after getting her first competition under her feet. B次元官网网址淚 canB次元官网网址檛 believe the first day is already over. It was just so amazing. Everyone is so supportive. I didnB次元官网网址檛 win anything but everyone at the bottom of the run treated me like I did.B次元官网网址�

deBellefeuille is also a talented dancer, winning third place for lyrical solo in a regional competition and fourth place nationally last year. She credits her family, which includes three siblings, for helping her find her snowboarding passion.

B次元官网网址淲e are all homeschooled so we learned to snowboard when we were little and we all go out together. I was just one years old the first time they took me out. It has just been a great experience as a family.B次元官网网址�