Anna McDougal of Wiscasset is excited about life. An author, seamstress, and a Special Olympics athlete, she puts energy into everything she does. She is especially motivated by alpine skiing and has been selected to compete next year in downhill events at the Special Olympics World Winter Games to be held in Graz, Austria. McDougal was born with Down Syndrome.

“It is like a dream come true,” McDougal, at her small studio at the Spindleworks Art Center in Brunswick on Friday, said about the world event.

“They needed someone from Maine and a female,” said McDougal, who qualified for the position having won a gold medal at the Special Olympics alpine skiing competition held at Sugarloaf Mountain Resort last February.

“I got the gold,” said McDougal, proudly showing her medal.

McDougal competes in both summer track and field events and skiing with Bath Brunswick Area Adult Special Olympics. She participates in the mile walk, ball toss and bocce.

“I walk every day for 2.5 miles,” she said of her training regimen.

It is the downhill skiing events that excite her the most.

“I love the thrill,” she said.

She began skiing at the Lost Valley Ski area through the Central Maine Adaptive Ski program. She gives credit to her instructor Connie French-Smith of Brunswick.

“She is the one who got me started,” said McDougal.

McDougal has competed in the slalom, super G, and giant slalom events.  Special Olympians slalom through gates that are positioned to fit their level of competition, she said.

The trip to Austria beginning on March 12 for two weeks will be paid for in full by Special Olympics Maine. She will participate in a training camp in Vermont from December 4-9.

McDougal said her family was excited when they learned of her acceptance.

“They are happy that I represent alpine skiing in Maine,” she said.

McDougal lives with her sister Amy Burchstead and brother-in-law Jeff Burchstead on Willow Lane in Wiscasset.

Her book, “A Look Back,” about growing up with Down Syndrome, is available at the shop at Spindleworks and at the Gulf of Maine bookstore in Brunswick.