Puslinch natives Whitney and Jason McClintock win big at Pan Am Games

Whitney and Jason McClintock of Puslinch grabbed five medals between them in waterski events at the Pan American Games in Toronto on July 23 and 24.

Whitney grabbed gold in women’s slalom after successfully passing four buoys ahead of Erika Lang and Regina Jaquess of the United States.

“Coming into (these games), I knew I was fully capable of getting two, three or possibly four gold medals. I was trying to keep the pressure off myself,” Whitney said.

She lost her two-time Pan Am gold medal title in women’s tricks event to Peruvian Natalia Cuglievan when she fell during the run. Whitney ended up with silver in that event. She also received silver in the women’s jump event, flying 47.7 metres, just under two metres behind gold medal winner Jaquess.

Whitney’s gold in slalom was Canada’s 65th gold medal during the games, breaking the nation’s record of Pan Am gold medals set in Winnipeg in 1999.

“I didn’t even know, going into that day … I’m kind of happy I didn’t know that because if I had known, it might have put some pressure on me. I just went out to ski. I wanted to win a gold medal and I had no idea it would be the 65th,” said Whitney. “It’s a huge honour to be able to have broken that barrier.”

She also grabbed gold in the women’s overall event, with 2,796.3 points.

Jason earned silver during the men’s slalom, losing in a ski-off. He and Nate Smith from the United States were tied for first during their run as they passed six buoys each. The pair had to go into a ski-off, during which Jason only passed four while Smith passed five.

“I was going toe to toe with the world record holder in slalom and to have him that close … and having him work really hard to beat me, even in the run-off, it was awesome,” said Jason. “It’s so bittersweet because I tied for gold… its hard to swallow when you’re that close twice.”

In men’s tricks, Jason missed bronze by only 10 points. Canadian Jaret Llewellyn took silver in that event.

The McClintock siblings both expressed excitement about winning medals at home.

“I always love it. Some of my best performances have been in Canada. I really truly believe that I feel the support and every single person on that shoreline was cheering for me,” said Whitney.

“Hearing the Canadian anthem is one of the most special things to me because I live in the States and I don’t hear the anthem very often.”

Jason could hear the crowd cheering for the other Canadian competitors but he had to zone them out until he completed his run.

“After the set it was awesome because you could finish, look back at the crowd and enjoy that moment with them. That was unreal,” said Jason.

He and Whitney grew up on Puslinch Lake, where their family owns McClintock’s Ski School. For them, that opportunity led to their successes.

“Growing up at a waterski school we were given every single opportunity that we would have ever needed to be successful in our sport,” said Whitney.

Jason added, “I don’t remember learning to ski, because I was still drinking out of a bottle when I learned to ski. As soon as we were out on the water, we were in our happy place.”

Whitney explained their parents were very proud of both of them during the Pan Am Games.

“We’re such an emotional family and skiing has become our life force … I know my dad cries every time I win a gold medal no matter where it is. He has been so proud of me,” she explained.

Jason also noted the family’s emotions during competitions.

“You can just see the expression on their face and the pride and the watery eyes,” he said.  

 

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