A Cochrane cross country skier is having tremendous success at the Special Olympics World Winter Games in Graz and Schladming, Austria.

Elouise Stewart has reached the podium three times, claiming gold in in the cross country 4X1km relay, silver in the cross country 10km freestyle, and bronze in the cross country 7.5km freestyle. Stewart said that her medals are great, but she's even happier with her effort.

"I have to say that, personally, I believe that I had personal bests in all my events here."

Stewart has competed at past World Winter Games, and she is pleased with the level of competition this time around.

"The caliber of the athletes here is so much higher than even at the last World Games. It's incredible, it's just tough."

She had an early start to the games, competing before the official kick off even happened.

"It was my 10 kilometer, it was actually done before opening ceremonies."

Stewart will be coming back to Cochrane on Saturday (March 25).