Cochrane's own Elousie Stewart will return to town donning a gold, silver, and bronze medal from the 2017 Special Olympics in Austria.

Stewart who shines at cross country skiing says the trip thus far has been great; a beautiful country, strong competition, and medalling in all 3 events.

Stewart claimed gold in the cross country 4x1km relay, silver in the cross country 10km freestyle, and bronze in the cross country 7.5km freestyle; while she was thrilled with her results they didn't come easy.

"It has been really, really tough. The calibre of the athletes here is so much higher than even at the last World Games, it is incredible. It's been really difficult to medal."

Tougher than she ever anticipated, the local athlete, had to dig deep. "It has been something I have had to work for while I've been here, where in the previous games, yes, I had to work for it but not nearly to this degree,"

Besides tough competition, Stewart has been skiing in anywhere from 10-20 degree Celsius weather which adds its own complexity. Thankfully the course though slightly dirty and modified is in amazing condition.

These aren't the first medals for Stewart who brought home a gold and two silvers in the 2013 Special Olympics World Winter Games, but says these ones are significant as she feels they represent personal bests.

"It was amazing, I thought it would be like the last World Games and it hasn't been. I would say my bronze medal is worth a heck of alot more than my gold I got in the last games just because of the competition and what I had to do to get it."

Thankful for Cochrane's support the local athlete is looking forward to coming home.

"It is nice to see the support I have been getting from people in Cochrane while I have been away, all their support and comments throughout the whole entire week has been really awesome; I really appreciated that."

Stewart comes home tomorrow evening (March 25) and will spend the week resting, rejuvenating, and hanging with her dogs.