CTV's Brian Williams interviews hornblower

Hornblower and family are going to the Victory Ceremony to see Maelle Rickers receive her gold medal!!!!!

She was interviewed by Brian Williams but unfortunately the tape wasn't running. All we have is a transcript and some still shots.


Brian Williams (BW): So, tell us how you feel?

hornblower (h): Oh, I'm just so excited. It's incredible, really.


BW: Now, it's been an up and down story for you, hasn't it?

h: Very much so. We watched Maelle win live over the web, and thought for sure we'd be seeing her on Wednesday because we assumed (wrongly as it turns out) that the medals are always given the next day. Then the CTV announcer said she would not have to wait and would receive her medal at Tuesday's ceremony. We were dejected.

On the other hand, we didn't even manage to get tickets until just recently when some more tickets were released to the public. A few weeks ago, we didn't even think we would be going to see anything. So we tried to cheer ourselves up. Of course we were looking forward to seeing Paul Brandt and whatever medals were awarded and we were just going to have fun.

BW: Tell Canadians how you felt at the moment when you thought you would not see Maelle receive her medal.


h: It was sad. I was disappointed. The kids were disappointed. My husband was delayed in his disappointments because he hadn't heard the CTV announcement. He was on top of the world until we told him. It was tough Brian. Really tough. I felt like I'd let my family down, bought the wrong tickets for the wrong night.

BW: You had practiced hard for this.


h: Oh yes. I've been online shopping for years. One of my wrists has been injured from repetitive computer use. Of course, I usually use MasterCard. In fact I know my number off by heart. Switching to Visa to purchase the tickets for the Olympics - well, that was a challenge, but I got through it and then, it seemed like it wouldn't be the golden moment we had hoped for.

BW: Well, you have to tell the people what happened next, because it's such a great story! The one about the cat!


h: Um, well (appears confused but gamely carries on), last night I had to rush out to Bosley's to get Pill Pockets for my elderly, chronically ill cat and when I came back, we were all watching the men's short program, and during one of the breaks, they mentioned that Maelle would get her medal on Wednesday after all!

BW: That's great! (quick peek at index card) Now, you have a lot of animals. Tell Canadians about that.


h: (confused pause). Well, yes. We have two dogs, one cat & I'm currently fostering another dog and three fancy rats.

BW: That's amazing. And how do they feel about you going to the medal ceremony?

h: I, ah, Brian, what the hell does this have to do with me going to the medal ceremony? Are you completely and bloody insane? Do you research minutia about people just to drive viewers nuts? And why do you keep doing that with your hand? What is that? A little hand puppet? Is it going to talk?

BW: Hornblower, it's interesting you mention that. I am completely insane. I remember Innsbruk in 1976, I rode one of those fat little ponies. I just love animals. Now, of course in Salt Lake City, the hotel cat slept in my bathtub. So I just need to ask you. Does your cat sleep in your bathtub?



h: Um. No. No she doesn't.

BW: So where do you go from here? What's next for you?


h: Brian, we're all going to start getting ready to go party at BC Place. Maybe get our picture taken in front of the cauldron fence first.

BW: Wonderful. Thanks for coming by.