LITTLE BROTHER'S ARRIVAL GIVES GUAY A PUSH
Stefan joins Erik on Canadian men's squad
The footsteps Canadian ski racer Erik Guay hears is not that of some world beater from Austria or the U.S., but that of his younger brother.
Twenty-year-old Stefan Guay, reigning world junior champion, will mark his first year with the Canadian alpine team this season and he's hoping to eventually follow in the tracks of accomplished 25-year-old Erik.
"I'm pushing him right now," smiled the younger sibling, who'll compete in the Bombardier Lake Louise Winterstart downhill and Super G races Nov. 25-26, "but he motivates me to push him and it's not just skiing. It's everything we do, volleyball, go-karting, anything at all. We always push each other."
While Stefan has finished on the world junior championship podium the past three years, Erik has been snaring medals on the World Cup circuit and is only too happy to have little brother along for a full ride this season.
"Well, I wouldn't say it's a lot of fun," dead panned the native of Mont Tremblant, Que., who had to book off some time last season with a strained right calf muscle, "but it's definitely inspiring."
"Probably the hardest thing is to get beaten by your younger brother so it inspires me to work a little bit harder, push a little bit more, train a little bit more. He's a great skier and it's inevitable that he's going to catch me and I'm sure he's going to beat me here and there so I'll try my hardest to stay ahead of him as much as I can."
While Erik is gunning for more World Cup medals this season, Stefan is just hoping to knock on some doors. Although he trained with the main team last season and qualified for a few World Cup races, it's baby steps.
"I got rid of most of the butterflies last year in the first couple World Cups," he said, "so I'm not so nervous. I'm just excited to race. It's a big stepping stone and I'm not there yet. I have to start winning medals, getting on the podium, win an Olympics. That's where I want to be.
"I don't think I can medal this year, but I'm looking for at least one top 10. After that, hopefully I can be on the podium."
Stefan, who points to the Giant Slalom as his strongest event, can look to Erik for sound advice. As can any other member of the 17-man team.
"It's not like we're sibling rivals," said Erik. "We inspire each other, try to help each other. But it's not just him though, it's everyone on the team. Any questions about courses, how to run different sections, anything to help the younger guys on the team.
"I have to . . . it's a duty of mine."
Erik and Francois Bourque are the only two skiers who have guaranteed starting spots in World Cup giant slalom races, which means Stefan and five others will be duking it out weekly for four other spots. It gets even tighter at the world championships when Canada will just be allotted four starters.
"I think I'll be racing all the GSs," submitted Stefan. "I have to qualify but it's looking good for the GSs and the Super Gs. We all have to beat each other to race . . . it's good motivation."
Yeah, just like taking aim at bigger brother.
"I wish him all the best," smiled Erik. "I'm sure he's going to have a great year."