Matt Hallat

Nickname: Matty. No matter how old I get it just seems to stick.

Best moment in skiing: There have been so many for so many different reasons it is impossible to pick just one. 

Worst moment in skiing: Fractured femur on my right side. By far the most pain I have ever felt. 

What one thing would you change about skiing: The -25 degree days. I would make every day about -5, perfect temperature for snow conditions, but also a great temperature to ski in. 

Best World Cup stop: Any Canadian stop. There is nothing like a ski race in Canada. They are always very well run and we are always treated with the highest regard. A little home cooking never hurt either.

Person you look up to most in the sport: My idol growing up was Wayne Gretzky. I had the privilege of meeting him when I was sick and undergoing chemotherapy. I have never forgotten that he took the time out of his day to meet with a sick child and I have never forgotten how great that made me feel. I hope that I have a fraction of that effect on some of the kids that I get to meet. 

On your iPod: 4,477 songs! 

Favourite movie: Caddyshack. A classic that teammate Chris Williamson and I have watched hundreds of times on the road. We know every one-liner in the movie. 

Favourite hockey team: The Vancouver Canucks. Vancouver born and bred, I have to support the home team, no matter where in the world I am. This often involves a lot of trash talk between Flames, Oilers, Sens, Leafs and Habs fans. 

If you could have dinner with anyone, living or dead, who would it be? Nelson Mandela. I read his autobiography a few years ago. It is amazing what he went through, what the world did to speak out against apartheid and the way in which he conducted himself throughout was nothing short of remarkable. Anyone who has shown such poise throughout his lifetime is surely worth having dinner with.

Something no-one knows about you: There are no secrets after 10 years on the team. And if I still had one, I wouldn’t tell. 

Favourite activities other than skiing: Golf. I grew up playing it every summer and it is a great way to spend my time when not training. 

Superstitions: I always put my left boot on first . . . I don’t have a right boot!  

If a movie was made about your life, who should play the lead role? Me. Who could possibly do a better job?

What’s a talent you wish you had? Playing the guitar.

If you weren’t a skier what would you be? Golf pro.

Funniest thing you’ve seen in ski racing: The 10kg ham that former teammate Lauren Woolstencroft received for her overall victory after a week of racing in La Molina, Spain. It was apparently very good. 

Most embarrassing moment: I’ve chosen to forget all those moments.

Describe yourself in three words: Balanced. Quiet. Leader.

IPC World Cup finishes in the top 10
9th – Super combined – Panorama, B.C. (March 2012)
9th – Super-G – Winter Park, USA (March 2012)
10th – Super-G – Winter Park, USA (March 2012)
5th – Slalom – La Molina, SPA (Jan. 2012)
9th – Slalom – Arta Terme, ITA (Jan. 2012)
8th – Giant slalom – Arta Terme, ITA (2011)
7th – Slalom – Arta Terme, ITA (2011)
8th – Slalom – Abtenau, AUT (2010)
10th – Slalom – Abtenau, AUT (2010)
7th – Slalom – Roll Rinn, AUT (2010)
7th – Downhill – Whistler, B.C. (2009)
10th – Downhill – Sestriere, ITA (2009)
7th – Slalom – La Molina, ESP (2009)
9th – Slalom – Aspen, USA (2007)
4th – Slalom – Arta Terme, ITA (2007)
10th – Slalom – ShigaKogen, JPN (2006)

2010 Paralympic Winter Games – Whistler, B.C.
11th – Downhill
18th – Super-G
31st – Slalom

2006 Paralympic Winter Games – Turin, ITA
31st – Slalom
32nd – Giant slalom
37th – Super-G

TELUS Canadian Para-Alpine Championships
Canadian champion – Giant slalom – Kimberley, B.C. (2011)
Canadian champion – Slalom – Kimberley, B.C. (2011)
Canadian champion – Giant slalom – Courtenay, B.C. (2010)

IPC World Ski Championships
10th – Super combined – Sestriere, ITA (2011)
9th – Slalom – Sestriere, ITA( 2011)
24th– Super-G – High1, KOR (2009)
30th – Super-G – High1, KOR (2009)
21st – Giant slalom – High1, KOR (2009)
21st – Downhill – High1, KOR (2009)
15th – Slalom – Wildschönau, AUT (2004)
13th – Downhill – Wildschönau, AUT (2004)
9th – Giant slalom – Wildschönau, AUT (2004)