Yukon freestyle skier Etienne Geoffroy-Gagnon motivated for the upcoming season – Yukon News

Yukon freestyle skier Etienne Geoffroy-Gagnon has spent his summer preparing for the next World Cup season and a possible shot for an Olympic berth.

During the 2019 season, Geoffroy-Gagnon enjoyed some of the best finishes of his career – putting together a top 10 streak.

During the following season, Geoffroy-Gagnon declared that it did not go as he had expected. The unpredictability of the COVID-19 pandemic and the poor results have made the 2020 season less than ideal.

In preparation for the new season, Geoffroy-Gagnon said he took some time skiing to get a “much needed reset”.

“I took a mental break after a difficult season last year,” said Geoffroy-Gagnon, who is currently in Austria. “I spent the summer in the gym and less time on skis. It’s different from previous years. I spent time biking and hiking and spent it away from the stage.

“It helped me regain my motivation. “

For the past month, Geoffroy-Gagnon has been training in Europe for the next competitions. He said he felt the best he had in a long time on skis.

Since returning to the slopes, Geoffroy-Gagnon has said he is only focusing on a few tricks he plans to use in World Cup competitions.

“(In training) we focused on the competitions and what I want to do this season,” said Geoffroy-Gagnon. “I trained three tricks for slopestyle and two for big air.

“I focus on the tricks that I know I’m going to do. It’s a big change from other seasons. The other seasons I was looking for things I could do.

Doing only a few laps, Geoffroy-Gagnon, comes with additional stress.

“Concentrating on competitive races is more stressful,” said Geoffroy-Gagnon. “I do my scariest things, but I hope once the competitions take place it will be second nature.”

Geoffroy-Gagnon said he is also working on what the tracks will look like before arriving at a competition.

The first competition of the season kicks off on November 20 in Stubai, Austria. There will be two more events before Christmas and then two more before the Olympics.

Geoffroy-Gagnon said six Canadian skiers will participate in each event. Based on the results of the competitions, four will be chosen for the Olympic team.

“I’m ranked sixth in the group so I definitely have to do everything possible,” said Geoffroy-Gagnon. “I have to ski my best, it’s not impossible, I worked really hard to get it.

“It all depends on who skis best before the Games. “

The challenge of being part of the Olympic roster is only magnified because other Canadian skiers have “great skied”.

“It will be up to me to play,” said Geoffroy-Gagnon. “I have done what I can do so far and I have confidence in myself. It’s time to go. “

Being part of the Olympic team is an important goal, but outside of the Games, Geoffroy-Gagnon said he wanted to continue competing in the finals of the World Cup events.

“I’m always aiming for the podium and then I just want to build my confidence, learn and improve,” said Geoffroy-Gagnon.

The Canadian team, said Geoffroy-Gagnon, will bring one big air specialist and three slopestyle specialists.

“It’s good for me because I focused more on slopestyle,” said Geoffroy-Gagnon.

One month before the first competition, Geoffroy-Gagnon said he was ready to play.

“I’m excited to start,” said Geoffroy-Gagnon. “Last month I prepared and push myself every day, I’m ready to show everyone what I’m working on.

“Good or bad, it still happens. “

After the first three competitions, Geoffroy-Gagnon said he will be back in the Yukon and hopes to teach some of the young skiers in the territory.

Contact John Tonin at john.tonin@yukon-news.com

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