The five were past Olympic skiers, Tamara McKinney and Kristin Krone; Olympic and Paralympic athlete, Candace Cable; speed skier, Jeff Hamilton; and extreme skier, Shane McConkey. Freestyle skier, C.R. Johnson, was a scheduled participant but he sustained a severe head injury in December in Utah and was unable to attend.

Video Highlights
The audience poured out "oohs" and "aahs" as they watched past ski races, wipeouts, and especially McConkey launching himself off cliffs only to land safely and gently with the aid of a parachute. He calls his particular adventure sport, "ski base-jumping," and he suggested the kids not try it because "it is very, very dangerous."

Students cheered at every mention of Truckee, Tahoe, or Olympic Valley during the video clips. And they were in awe of the sheer speed of Jeff Hamilton and the racing victories of McKinney and Krone.

"It's amazing how many world-class athletes live right here in our community," said Pyle. "Some who attended our very own elementary school have risen to the top of their sports. It's a great connection for the kids."

Both Krone and C.R. Johnson attended Truckee Elementary, and Krone's daughter will be a kindergartener at the school next fall.

Candace Cable: Paralympic Champion
This young woman, a paraplegic since suffering a spinal cord injury in a 1975 automobile accident, gave the students an inspiring message. Cable said she was never interested in sports before her accident. But since then she has won 14 Paralympic medals and 6 Boston Marathons in her wheelchair.

"No matter what happens in life, there are still possibilities," Cable said. "Each and every one of you is special, and you can accomplish anything you put your mind to."

Cable will be competing in Nordic ski events during the 2006 Paralympic Winter Games in Italy March 10-19. For more information, visit the official website at www.paralympicgames.torino2006.org.