1983 - 2005 - Canadian Freestyle Ski Association

newcomer Marc-André Moreau landed himself
with a silver medal at World Championships last
year, and both Stéphanie St-Pierre and Kyle
Nissen medalled at the 2005 Torino test event,
where they’ll be skiing for Olympic gold this
February.
The question now is how do these athletes,
who are achieving such success on a seasonto-season
basis, parlay their experience, talent
and passion into Olympic gold?
There are many opinions about how to prepare
for the Games as a medal favourite. Four-time
Olympian and 1994 Olympic gold medalist
Jean-Luc Brassard lends his own insight. “It’s
important not to let the expectations of others
become your own,” says Brassard, reflecting
on his own Olympic experience. “The biggest
mistake you can make is feeling the pressure
when people keep telling you ‘Bring home
the Gold!!’ Those words get in your head, and
suddenly you’re not performing for yourself
anymore.”
2005 World aerial Champion Steve Omischl,
who was less than satisfied with his 11th
place finish in Salt Lake in 2002, is looking to
capitalize on Brassard's theory of keeping it
in perspective. In 2002, Omischl knew he was
capable of being on the podium, and focussed
all his energy on the end result.
“I was so determined to be on the podium that
I forgot to pay attention to what mattered most,
which is ultimately the performance. This time,
I know what I’m capable of, and I know that if
I just go out there and trust in my own ability,
everything else will follow as it should,” said
Omischl.
2002 Olympic silver medallist, Veronica
Brenner, who in her own words claims
she “choked” in ’98, points specifically to
preparation. “Don’t treat it like any other
competition…because it isn’t! As soon as you
get there, you realize it’s a different animal.”
Living up to the expectations…
“As an aerialist,” says Brenner, “you have 6
seconds. If you hesitate or doubt yourself,
it’s over….so you better have a plan, and you
better be ready.”
And perhaps no-one is more ready than
Jennifer Heil. In the past few years, Heil
has strategically positioned herself to be
physically and mentally ready for the biggest
competition of all. In 2003, she took a year
off competition to heal and strengthen her
body, and complete a year of university
studies. She has surrounded herself with a
strong support network of people who are
able to provide her with the tools she needs
to be at her best. So far, this dedication to
high performance has paid off, as Heil has
dominated women’s moguls for the last two
years.
What remains to be seen is if Freestyle’s
talented crew can take their week-by week
World Cup success and turn it into Olympic
medals. Only time will tell.
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