First BVI athlete to represent Territory in Winter Olympics since 1984
Tortola, British Virgin Islands, January 27, 2014 – Freestyle skier Peter Adam Crook is heading to Sochi, Russia next month to compete in the 2014 Olympics as a representative of the British Virgin Islands (BVI). It has been 30 years since the BVI has had an athlete perform for the Territory in the Winter Olympics. In 1984, Erroll “Canute” Fraser became the first ice speed skater to represent the island nation at the 1984 Winter Olympics held in Sarajevo, (a city in the former eastern European state of Yugoslavia now Bosnia and Herzegovina).
Last week, Crook was inscribed as the BVIs’ male Freestyle athlete, which qualified him for one quota slot in the Half Pipe Ski: the first time this event has been featured in the Winter Olympics.
“Although the BVI Olympic Committee was initially surprised when Adam Crook’s father, Barney Crook, approached us regarding a Ski Association, we recalled that the 1984 Winter Games was in fact the first time the BVI was ever represented in the Olympics and that sports covers all types of activity,” said Ephraim Penn, President, BVI Olympic Committee. “We are exceptionally proud to have been in a position to make this happen for both athlete and country. Adam has trained hard and competed well over the past 18 months and we commend him for his dedication and determination to make it into the top 18 half-pipe skiers and indeed to qualify for the Winter Olympics.”
“Sochi 2014 is the culmination of a four year endeavor for Adam,” said Mark Chapman, Chef de Mission, Sochi 2014. “The pressure on any athlete representing his or her nation at the highest level of competition is intense and my role now is to smooth the way, ensure professional representation of our nation and deliver a stress free transition into the games for Adam. It’s a given that we will be there for him with the support, and pride we feel as he competes for the BVI.”
Crook was born and raised in the BVI. At the age of nine he moved with his family to the United States where he was first introduced to the sport of skiing. Crook continued skiing throughout high school and graduated from Vail Ski and Snowboard Academy in 2011. One of his earliest coaches was Bud Keene, the same coach of famous skier Sean White.
“Mr. Crook exemplifies the athleticism and showmanship on the slopes that is indicative of a first class competitor. It is a rare opportunity for the British Virgin Islands to have an athlete represent our islands in the Winter Olympics and we are very inspired to have this young skier showcase his talents on the world stage in Sochi, Russia,” said Sharon Flax-Mars, Director of Tourism.
Adam's public page on Facebook is https://www.facebook.com/PeterAdamCrook. He is on Instagram as @padamcrook.
BVI Ski Association page on Facebook is https://www.facebook.com/BVISKI
About the British Virgin Islands
An archipelago comprised of 60 islands and cays, the British Virgin Islands (BVI) are located approximately 50 miles east of Puerto Rico, in the northwestern region of the Caribbean Sea. The main islands are Tortola, Virgin Gorda, Anegada and Jost Van Dyke. Road Town, located on Tortola, is the British Virgin Islands’ capital.
Renowned as one of the world’s premier sailing destinations, the BVI’s dynamic and vast topography provides a unique opportunity to “island hop” with ease — with each island characterized by its own cultural and natural wonders. Among these attractions are The Baths on Virgin Gorda, Anegada’s Flamingo Pond, and Tortola’s Sage Mountain. Destination highlights also include world-class yachting, snorkeling, hiking, sustainable tourism and, for diving enthusiasts, the Caribbean’s most stunning wreck dives, such as the RMS Rhone.
A pristine and romantic island paradise evoking a bygone era, the British Virgin Islands are nonetheless easily accessible for U.S. travelers flying into Tortola/Beef Island’s Terrence B. Lettsome International Airport (EIS) via frequent connecting service from nearby Puerto Rico, St. Thomas, Antigua, St. Kitts or St. Maarten/St. Martin. Visitors traveling to the BVI from St. Thomas can also travel via ferry. Despite its status as a United Kingdom territory, the BVI conveniently uses the U.S. dollar as its official currency.
For more information on all that the British Virgin Islands have to offer, visit the official BVI Tourist Board website at www.bvitourism.com or contact 1-800-835-8530.
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