The Best and Worst of 2009...

We want to know what made your 2009 memorable - both the highs and the lows.

Complete the survey to the left to let BC Athlete Voice know the toughest part of 2009 and fill in the box below telling us about your greatest moment this year. We'll take note of the challenges facing BC Athletes in 2009 and also share the achievements that you submit to us as your highlights of 2009.

Those athletes that have their best moment of 2009 posted on the BC Athlete Voice website will received a fantastic long sleeve Icebreaker performance top!

So what are you waiting for? Share your voice!

It all started in January 2009 when I got really sick at my Nationals. Unfortunately, I had to compete and by doing so my health deteriorated even more (even though I got through the Nationals). I thought I was pretty much fine and as an athlete who doesn't want to miss out on competitions and training, I continued on without taking the proper time to recuperate. My body wasn't happy with me and soon enough, I had aches and pains, which only got worse and what became a bad back injury. Stupidly, I only stopped training and competing when I physically couldn't. I never was one to complain about little things. It took me two full months of doing nothing but rehabilitation to get me back functioning normally without pain. Two whole months. That put so many dampers on what I was trying to achieve this year. In those two months I gained a bunch of weight, lost my strength and fitness and was really rusty on the board. I had already planned to go to Europe for two World Cup competitions, which I did and no doubt I was disappointed with my results. I showed up unprepared and 8lbs heavier than my ideal race weight. I thought that perhaps this was a good time to maybe move on...that I'm past my prime, but somewhere, somehow I found my motivation again. I came home from Europe with a plan and a goal. I had 8 weeks before my next trip to Europe for my World Championships. I was so motivated and determined to achieve my goal at Worlds, that I knew that in those weeks I had to lose weight, get fit and strong again and build up my confidence. We had the most beautiful weather this summer and so I got to do most of my training outside. I started biking, went to the gym, swam in the ocean and windsurfed in English Bay. I ate really well, increasing my fruits and veggies and by the time 6 weeks passed I lost all those excess pounds and was feeling good again. I went back to Europe with confidence and finished the World Championships with my best result ever - 17th place. I beat my past Worlds result by 18 places. Maybe the worst of 2009 helped bring out the best in me in 2009 after all....

Nikola Girke, Windsurfing

What made my 2009 memorable was both the highs and the lows. As a second year senior, I had high expectations for the competitive season. However, while I met some of them, I failed to qualify for the 2009 Rhythmic Gymnastics World Championships. A dream that I would have loved to achieve and a goal that I had set for myself. This may have been a low at the time, but as a result, I have actually learned so much from it. It has been a great year for me to step back and evaluate why I'm putting so much time into my sport. And for me to jump right back in much more motivated and determined. It may not be a year full of international accomplishments, but it has definitely been an important year in terms of my personal growth as an individual and as an athlete. I have discovered that there are so many supportive people around me, cheering me on to success and i realized that I couldn't have achieved very much without them. Thank you 2009 for reminding me of the love I have for rhythmic gymnastics and reigniting the passion! 

Jessica Ho, Rhythmic Gymnastics

One of my best memories of playing basketball this year was losing by 3 points to a 4th place provincially ranked team. Even though we lost, I believed we achieved something greater than a win - we worked together, encouraged each other and played the best game of our season giving it our all. The other best memory was our final game in Fraser Valley's where we had to fight against the 2nd ranked provincial team for our berth to Provincials. Though we too lost this game, I have never been more proud and satisfied with a loss. It was the final game of our season and my last game with the team as I moved and changed schools. I think it was a great way to end, being a game I will never forget. 

Elsa Langill, Basketball