Sisi Chan

Karker looks to make the most of second Olympics

Introduction: A snapshot of Canadian halfpipe skier Rachael Karker who is feeling the thrill of competing at the Milan Cortina Olympics.

Karker’s Previous Olympics Experience: The absence of Covid restrictions at the Milan Cortina Olympics is a silver lining for Karker who is relieved to experience a more normal Games.

Karker’s Medal Aspirations: Karker presents her mixed emotions of wanting to secure a medal but also embracing the joy of the spirit of the game, her family by her side.

Karker’s Recent Success: A recap of Karker’s triumphant silver medal victory at the Beijing Olympics, sharing the podium with peer Cassie Sharpe, and going head-to-head with Eileen Gu.

Karker’s Career and Challenges: An insightful dive into Karker’s odyssey to the Games, her move to Calgary, the ongoing battle with a chronic knee injury, and the measures adopted to tackle it. Fiancé Brendan Mackay also features as part of her journey.

Karker’s Injury Management: A look at Karker’s approach to handling her knee injury during preparation and competition phases.

Karker at X Games: Her recent stint at the X Games in Aspen, rubbing shoulders with fellow Canadians Amy Fraser, Zoe Atkin, Indra Brown, and Cassie Sharpe.

Karker’s Track Records at X games: Remembering her impressive medal haul of two silvers and a bronze, her sixth-place finish in 2025, but missing the 2024 games because of a back injury.

Karker’s FIS Championship Achievements: Celebrating Karker’s milestone silver and bronze medals at the FIS World Championship.

Karker’s Life and Career Progression: A comprehensive review of Karker’s early interest in an array of sports, her transition through ballet, gymnastics, and trampoline to freestyle skiing, focusing on halfpipe. Details of her training style, the rush she gets from the speed of the halfpipe, her injuries, use of protective gear, and the interesting application of music during training.