Syracuse University will see one of its own participate in the highest level of competition when Stefanie Marty travels to Vancouver for the 2010 Winter Olympics. Marty, a junior assistant captain on the Orange ice hockey team and Syracuse's first Winter Olympian, will go for the gold when she joins her native Swiss National Team for its second consecutive trip to the Winter Games.
"The first six teams at the 2008 World Championship tournament were automatically qualified for the 2010 Winter Games," Marty said. "Since we were ranked No. 5 in the world, we did not have to participate in a qualification tournament like we did four years ago for the 2006 Olympic Games in Torino, Italy. It was clear that a team of 21 players would represent Switzerland in the 2010 Olympics, but on January 23rd, the team was officially announced."
In her seventh season on the Swiss National Team, Marty has participated in five World Championships, including four in the highest division and one in Division I, and one Olympic Games. Last year, she was the leading scorer on the inaugural Syracuse ice hockey team as a co-captain, and is currently second on the team in goals this season. Prior to transferring to Syracuse, Marty led her University of New Hampshire team to the Frozen Four as a freshman, which she attributes to her successful career.
"I just consider myself really lucky to be in the position I am today," Marty said. "There are so many people, players from Switzerland, Europe and America who dream of being a Division I college athlete. I have the best conditions to work as hard as possible every day. If I do not utilize what I have today, I will regret it one day."
In addition to preparing for the Olympics, Marty must also focus on the success of her Syracuse Orange team, which has already made history this season by becoming the first squad to reach a top 10 ranking in the USCHO.com and USA Today/USA Hockey Magazine polls. While competing Friday and Saturday, the team routinely holds practice Monday through Thursday afternoon on the ice and participates in two weight workouts, plus one to two cardio or speed sessions a week. While her workout regimen has not been strongly impacted by her preparations for the Olympics, Marty will reconnect with her Swiss teammates, including her twin sister, Julia, before heading to Vancouver.
"In contrast to Team USA, Team Canada, and some other nations, we do not spend the whole season together as a national team," Marty said. "Next to our monthly training camps with the national team, we practiced two weeks in December and one week in January to get ready for February."
Marty will be in Winnipeg, Manitoba prior to the Olympics to participate in pre-camp and two exhibition games. The team will also participate in tactical activities to re-establish its relationship on the ice before arriving in Vancouver in time for the opening ceremony, where it will then begin its quest for the gold medal.
"At a tournament like the Olympics, the distractions are going to be huge," Marty said. "It will be a big challenge to be able to focus on the athletic part of the games. To be able to find the right mix between readiness and recreation will be crucial."
In 2006, Switzerland was defeated, 6-2, by Sweden in the quarterfinals in Torino and ended the tournament ranked seventh out of eight teams. While it may discourage some, it has provided motivation for Marty to succeed in this year's Winter Games.
"The expectations of our team are high because of what we have reached in the past," Marty said. "The biggest challenge is to prove the performances we have made in the last three years. It's going to be a big challenge to play Canada, Sweden and Slovakia in the Olympics. They are three totally different games in which a lot is expected from us."
The Swiss National Team will begin tournament play in the women's preliminary round against Sweden on February 13. Switzerland's future will depend on its performance in the qualification round. However, Marty and her teammates have raised the bar after its last Olympic Games in Torino, Italy.
"It has been my goal since 2006 to participate in the 2010 Vancouver Olympics," Marty said. "After the Olympics in Torino, I knew what it meant to participate in such an event and I was willing to do anything to be able to compete at this level again. The motivation was even greater after the disappointing tournament in Torino. The results my team achieved were not really satisfying, but I think we can be more successful this year."