The 23-year-old finished first in the advance levels of the slalom and giant slalom events at the Special Olympics Ontario Milton Alpine Ski Team and Milton Heights Racing Club-hosted provincial qualifying alpine ski competition last month at the Glen Eden Ski and Snowboard Centre in Milton.

“It’s exciting,” said Walker, adding she’s awaiting official confirmation of her qualification. “I like skiing at different places and just meeting new people.”

The competition featured about 50 skiers representing teams from Milton, Mississauga, Toronto, Oshawa and Ottawa. Participants competed in slalom, giant slalom and adaptive events.

“It’s not competitive in terms of can you beat the other person, but can you do better, can you advance your skills,” said Walker. “For me, it was like, yes, I can do it.”

Special Olympics Milton Alpine Ski Team head coach Sharie Bridge says she wasn’t surprised by Walker’s performance.

“She came ready to compete and win. She was well rested and in the ‘zone,’” she said. “Bridgette is a joy to coach. She shows up on time, ready to ski or train and with a big smile on her face. She is always eager to learn new skills and improve on existing ones, giving 110 per cent in her training both on and off the hill. I feel blessed to be able to coach and know her.”

Walker became involved with Special Olympics Ontario five years ago, after she returned to Bishop Ryan Catholic Secondary School to take some extra Grade 12 courses.

“Our gym coach took us to Blue Mountain, where I got to put on some skis and mess around a bit on the bunny hills. My coach thought I had something going, so he talked my mom into finding a ski group for me,” she said. “When we found Special Olympics, I got into it, found I loved it and just rolled with it.”

Walker’s mother Judy Walker-McCall says she’ll never forget the first time she saw her daughter ski.

“She didn’t fall, did really well and they said she looked like she had natural talent,” she said. “When we got a hold of Special Olympics, they were quite amazed at her and said she was going to go far.”

Special Olympics is about pure sport, says Walker’s stepfather Jack.

“When the athletes get to the bottom of the hill, their fellow athletes are always there cheering them on,” he said. “It’s sports for the sake of the sport not for the sake of the prize and that’s pretty impressive.”

Athletes who qualify for the Provincial Winter Games have an opportunity to advance to Team Ontario to compete at the National Games in 2012 in Alberta.

“I went to provincials four years ago in Owen Sound. I didn’t win, but I didn’t care because I had fun doing it,” said Walker. “It would be cool to go to nationals, but for me, it really all comes down to making new friends.”

As she awaits official confirmation of her qualification for the Provincial Winter Games, Walker says she will continue to hit the slopes.

“Ski season doesn’t end after regionals,” she said. “Ski season goes for as long as the weather holds out, so I’ll be skiing until there’s no more snow.”

Walker is also starting to learn how to coach and assist beginner skiers.

“I’m teaching other skiers some of things that I’ve already learned,” she said. “The more skill you have, the easier it is to ski and the easier it is to ski, the more fun you have doing it.”