Jay and Ashleigh (formerly McIvor) DeMerit are quintessential Vancouverites: athletic, fashionable, nature junkies who love their urban space as much as their mountain getaways.The captain of the Vancouver Whitecaps, originally from Green Bay, Wisconsin, and Whistler’s own 2010 Winter Olympics ski cross gold medallist met at a Canucks game on the one-year anniversary of the 2010 Winter Games. Their courtship culminated in an idyllic forest fairy tale wedding last summer near Whistler. Now living in Gastown, they alternate training routines, soccer games and speaking engagements with mountain sports and lots of local culture.
BCLiving caught up with the golden couple to talk winter in the city, Olympic memories and all things romance.
Love for Vancouver
Jay: I always knew I would like it here. There are nice restaurants, and lots of cool places to hang out. The fashion is great. It’s the most picturesque place in the world. Even soccer culture is very strong here. It’s a doer culture. People enjoy getting out, even if it’s raining.
Favourite urban spots
Ashleigh: We love Granville Island Market, although we don’t go there enough. We go out for dinner almost every night and usually stick to our neighbourhood: The Flying Pig, Cork and Fin and Pourhouse. Gotham is as far as we’ll go.
Embracing winter
Ashleigh: Whistler is the place to be during the winter and we do all sorts of outdoor activities, including skiing, snowmobiling, hiking or snowshoeing up to the ancient cedars or backcountry cabins, trips to the hot springs, cross-country skiing near Lost Lake and up the Callaghan Valley, as well as good old-fashioned snowball fights. We also like trips to Tofino to surf, and the waves are world-class all winter.
Olympic memories of the gold medal run
Ashleigh: My biggest memory was standing at the start gate for the final run. I was calm and at ease. I kept thinking, ‘I was made for this event, and this course was built for me.’ I had butterflies all the way down to my extremities and was channelling them into positive energy. Afterward, everything was a blur.
The 2014 Winter Olympics
Ashleigh: I’ll be commentating for CBC, for sponsors and for the Canadian Olympic Committee at the Sochi Olympics and it will be nice to not bring nerves with me. I’m going to enjoy being involved without pressure.
On inspiring others
Jay: Our Rise and Shine Foundation, based on my story and movie, will be about dream-big scenarios.
Ashleigh: Speaking extends my sense of purpose and gives longevity to my training. It allows me to have an impact on kids and to talk about determination, perseverance and focusing on the positive. It’s nice to put my accomplishments to good use.
Jay DeMerit and Ashleigh (McIvor) DeMerit Talk Romance, Olympics and Vancouver
Lisa Manfield is a writer, editor and content strategist. Formerly the editor of bcliving, she has also been managing editor at Orato.com, marketing manager at TheTyee.ca, and contributing editor for a number of publications. She has developed print and online content, marketing collateral, and courseware for Canada Wide Media, UBC, CBC TV and the Knowledge Network. She also teaches Writing and Editing for the Web at SFU. Follow her on Twitter and Google+
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