Caught in the throes of an August heat-wave, it is hard to think of skiing, let alone train for it. But that is what Tiiu Nurmberg does day in, day out - as a member of Estonia's Alpine Ski Team she is doggedly training full-time for the 2004-2006 seasons and beyond.
Tiiu Nurmberg
Tartu College regulars know Tiiu as the smiling, cheerful bundle of energy that often helps out part-time at the registration desk, as her schedule allows.Tiiu has recently completed her secondary education in Toronto, all the while hitting the slopes as often as she can during the winter.
As a dual citizen of Canada and Estonia she chose to explore the opportunities of competing under the blue-black-white tricolour of the country where her father and grandfather, her two biggest fans and supporters, were born. After a very successful season this past winter, Tiiu was invited by the Eesti Suusaliit - the Estonian Ski Association - to represent Estonia in the upcoming season. In May of 2003 she was appointed to the Estonian alpine ski team; she is the only member, and will be representing the nation in Federation International de Ski (FIS) level competition in North America and Europe. Her FIS no. is 395010. Along with her Trainer/Manager Ken Ellis, she is training and preparing to represent Estonia in the 2004 NORAM Cup Finals, the 2005 Alpine World Championships and the 2006 Winter Olympic Games, to be held in Turin. Tiiu, like Estonia, is a small yet dynamic competitor with tremendous potential and commitment to succeed at the highest international levels.
Tiiu Nurmberg
She is presently in Europe, until September 14, training in the Italian and Swiss Alps but Estonian Life was able to catch up to her before her departure, ask about her goals and talk about her role as Estonia¹s international ambassador on the slopes.
When asked, why Estonia?, Tiiu answered: beyond the obvious patriotic pride it is all about the new opportunities that competing for Estonia offer.
As is well known, Canada's support for amateur athletes has been woefully lacking since the Liberals took power, and Canada has little in the way of international success to show as a result. By competing for Estonia, Tiiu is able get away from the endless bureaucratic nightmare of how Canada treats aspiring world-class athletes. Funding, when granted, covers but a pittance of the expense of being a full-time athlete. Part-time jobs and sponsorship are essential. When Tiiu approached the Estonian Ski Association she was treated with courtesy, respect and support. However, because at present Estonia does not have an alpine budget allocation, one of Tiiu's goals is to find financing. Good results may bring the Estonia pocketbook into play as well.
Alpine skiing is not cheap - just the bare minimum of equipment, her 2003 2004 required training and race inventory has an estimated cost of $6500. To become a world-class athlete is even more expensive - travel, training, lodging, newer, cutting-edge equipment ups the cost considerably.
This especially so when you consider that different Alpine speciaties require specialized equipmemt. Tiiu¹s favourite event is the Giant Slalom, and in this slalom event she has an international ranking of 400th. She also competes in the Super-G and downhill, but is focusing to get as far as any athlete can get. Her goals are presently what she calls "stepping up the game" - setting small goals, cutting down her times, increasing her rankings bit by bit, learning from every stage, to polish speed and technique. To this end her trainer has prepared a quadrennial plan for 2002-2006, setting these goals on paper. (Available for potential sponsors ) As but one example of many stated aims for 2003-4 a goal is to have 40 days of training on snow - before the first race. Thus she will be attending "Snow Camps", expensive propositions in August.... The entire plan as outlined is realistic. The goals are consistent, with improving competitive performance in the Super G, Giant Slalom, and Slalom in the Winter Olympics. Not merely attending, in other words. In the lead up to 2006 she intends to focus on the podium at Europa Cup and NORAM Cup races. As well, participation in National FIS races in Europe are in the plans.
Tiiu goes further. She points out that by the time the 2010 Olympics roll around, to be held in Whistler, Canada, she will be at her prime competing age. The best woman alpine skiiers reach their peak around the age of 27 - and that is how old Tiiu will be at Whistler. Thus, by that time she should have the experience, training and performance to leave her mark in her birth country, skiing under her national flag of Estonia.
Tiiu Nurmberg notes that her Dream is really a seven year goal, and she is itching to compete in BC as a threat to all competitors.
The desire needs to be backed by the cold hard reality of cash. To date the two elder Nurmbergs, father Jüri and grandfather Olev have been her sponsors, financial backers. However, to get as far as possible more is needed, and in September, upon her return Tiiu and Ken Ellis, (himself a CSCF Senior Alpine Coach) will begin a fund-raising campaign.
Tiiu¹s own campaign is to begin her march to British Columbia by competitively representing Estonia in the 2005 Alpine Championships and the 2006 Winter Olympics.
To reach her goal Tiiu needs the support of more than her family - she needs her country, her trainer/team and her community to propel her further in the FIS rankings, international arena. This introduction to Estonia¹s only Alpiine Ski Team member should serve here as a means of reaching out to the Estonian community abroad, for whom this paper is aimed, to help Tiiu achieve the impropable - yet absolutely possible dream of the Olympics. We wish to help here, starting with this first article to keep the reader posted of Tiiu¹s results, fundraising goals and events, sharing as we do the desire to see her triumph as a committed, dedicated winter athlete at the highest of all possible international levels.
