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L’Équipe de Ski Acrobatique – Men’s mogul team in the summer from Canadian Freestyle Ski on Vimeo.

Canadian aerialist Steve Omischl has had a remarkable career. He has earned four FIS crystal globes in aerials, two FIS freestyle overall championships, four World Championships medals, including a first place in 2005, and 40 FIS World Cup medals.

Notably missing from Omischl’s arsenal is an Olympic medal. Despite competing in three Games, including the Vancouver Winter Olympics, Omischl has never reached his potential atop what is arguably the world’s most prominent athletic stage.

And while Omischl knows that his library of work should trump one best-seller, he is clearly haunted by his disappointing Olympic finishes (11^th in Salt Lake City; 20^th in Torino and 8^th in Vancouver).

Nevertheless, at 31, the North Bay native has decided that his body is “done” and has admitted that a push for Sochi in 2014 is probably not in the cards.

“I want to have fun for the rest of my life,” he said, adding that the pain of his performance in Vancouver is still fresh, but that it is tempered by his memories of his preparation for the Games.

“To see what I was capable of in the years coming up to the (Vancouver) Games – I know I’ll never by any better than I was. February 2010 was absolutely the pinnacle of my career. In practice I jumped better than ever and even surprised myself,” said Omischl, adding with a laugh, “It’s kind of a sad prospect that it’s all downhill from here!”

Steve Omischl (right) gives some tips to aspiring Whistler aerialist James Sambell

Omischl, who, at 31, has described himself as having the hips of a 10-year-old golden retriever, knows he needs a rest. But he’s not quite ready to give up his sport, and has even admitted that in a couple of years he might make a comeback. But for now, he has jumped at the prospect of starting a Canadian Freestyle Ski Association development aerials program for young athletes in Whistler, B.C.

“I could be going to school,” he explained, “I should be going to school.” Instead, he’ll be teaching.

“This sport has given me everything and it would be a shame for me to walk away. It would be selfish and dumb. It’s time to help the next group of kids.”

In some ways starting an aerials team in Whistler is a perfect storm. The valley is rife with athletic kids who are nonplussed by high-risk feats and double-black diamond ski runs. The local gymnastics club is strong and has just hired an ex-national team Aussie, Louise Stark, to start a competitive trampoline program. And, there is an excellent water ramp facility run by the CFSA, crucial for summer aerials training.

But Omischl knows, first hand that while opportunity may be enough to attract talented kids to aerials, it takes an enormous amount of dedication and discipline to turn them into world champions.

Aerials looks cool, but it takes years of practice and repetition to progress in the sport.

“The challenge at Whistler is that there are so many divergent opportunities. My job is to make aerials fun, cool and interesting enough to get them hooked.”

Omischl said that his first objective is to teach his young apprentices that learning the fundamentals of aerials – good air sense and a natural ability to flip and twist – will take them further in wherever they go on snow, whether it is moguls, halfpipe, big mountain, big air or, hopefully for Omischl, aerials.

So far, six kids aged nine to 12 are signed up for Omischl’s program. The National Team’s loss is their gain. Who knows, maybe one of them will win him that elusive Olympic hardware.

For more information or to schedule an interview with Steve Omischl, contact CFSA Media Relations Manager, Kelley Korbin at: kelleykorbin@freestyleski.com

Kristi Richards plans for the future

Whistler, B.C. – After participating in two Winter Olympic Games, winning the 2007 World Championships and standing on the FIS World Cup podium nine times, Canadian Freestyle mogul maven Kristi Richards announced today that she intends to carry on for another quadrennial and shoot for an Olympic medal in Sochi in 2014.

After qualifying fourth for the finals at the Vancouver 2010 Games, Richards crashed in her final mogul run and finished in 20^th spot. However, her Games performance inspired many a Canadian fan who lauded her tenacity and sportsmanship when, after her devastating fall, she picked herself up, brushed herself off, and wound the crowd into a frenzy with a huge full-twisting back flip off the bottom jump of the Cypress course.

Already a veteran of the bumps and a leader of her team, in four years time Richards, who is from Summerland, B.C. and now lives in Pemberton, will be 32 — not exactly a youngster for a body pounding sport like mogul skiing.

However, Canadian Freestyle Ski Association CEO, Peter Judge, said that age is often an advantage in freestyle, especially for women – as long as they stay healthy.

“Historically, the women’s side of the mogul field is always older than the men’s. Usually female talents that rise up can sustain the sport for longer. We have many examples of this, including Donna Weinbrecht and Kari Traa.”

Weinbrecht, who hails from the U.S. won her 5^th FIS Crystal Globe when she was 31. Traa earned three Olympic mogul medals for Norway, including a gold at the 2002 Games and a silver in 2006, when she was 32.

Judge said that with backing from Own the Podium, the CFSA has put together an excellent integrated support team of health practitioners that has been helping to keep athletes like Richards strong and fit.

“Richards is in a prime position and she’s proven that she’s willing to work hard. And, she has the maturity that will give her an edge. Next time around the stars just might align for her,” said Judge, referring to Richards bittersweet performance at the Vancouver 2010 Games.

Richards’ coach, Stephen Fearing dubbed her decision to go for Sochi a “no brainer,” adding, “She has in no way reached her peak, she’s still continuing to improve every training camp.”

Fearing said in preparation for the Sochi Games Richards will work on consistently transferring her excellent skiing skills to the competition environment and continue to work on her jumps – especially her full-twisting back flip.

For her part, Richards said that Sochi fits perfectly into her plans for the future.

“I really love the lifestyle of being an athlete. It is all encompassing for a healthy body, mind and soul. Striving for excellence keeps me focused and honest with myself. I am looking forward to the experiences that will come in the next four years and I plan to use them to evolve. I also love that I can inspire others to follow their dreams and live a healthy life. I plan to continue to push the boundaries of our sport and my ability by doing new jumps, skiing faster and having the most technically correct turns on the World Cup circuit.”

For more information, or to schedule an interview with Richards, please contact Canadian Freestyle Ski Association Media Relations Manager Kelley Korbin at: kelleykorbin@freestyleski.com.

This summer many members of the Canadian Freestyle ski team are on the glacier sharing their skills and their passion with kids. Athletes like Alex Bilodeau, Vincent Marquis, Kristi Richards, Pierre-Alexandre Rousseau and Chelsea Henitiuk are giving back a little of what the sport has given them by sharing with the next generation.

Check out this video, that includes an explanation about the importance of high-profile coaches from Momentum Camps owner and 2-time Olympian John Smart.

National Team stars coach on the Blackcomb Glacier, summer 2010 from Canadian Freestyle Ski on Vimeo.

Dagostino, who is fluent in French, English and Italian, has an extensive background in sport and most recently completed a four-year stint with Taekowndo Canada as its National Programs Manager.

“Jonathan brings with him a significant amount of knowledge to the Membership Services Coordinator position,” said Bruce Robinson, CFSA’s Chief Operating Officer.  “I believe Jonathan will quickly learn our operating procedures and will fit well with the Freestyle Skiing culture and family. Our members will experience a very clean transition and limited disruption to the level of service they receive.”

Dagostino will be continuing the work of Catherine Trudeau who held the position for nearly five years. Trudeau was a trusted and valued staff member who provided a very personal level of service to the CFSA membership.  She was well respected by the CFSA clubs, PSOs, parents and athletes. Trudeau is returning to her home province of Quebec to pursue new opportunities.

Dagostino joins the CFSA’s Sport Development Team and will be responsible for registrations, insurance, sanctioning, meeting and clinic planning and will assist with the maintenance of the CFSA website.

The CFSA is the National Sport Organization for Freestyle Skiing in Canada. The CFSA is a leading winter NSO, operating the National Freestyle Ski Team and developing programs to support the growth of Freestyle Skiing in Canada including the CFSA’s newest program CAN Freestyle. For more information on the CFSA and its programs, please visit www.freestyleski.com or contact Media Relations Manager Kelley Korbin at: kelleykorbin@freestyleski.com.

The Canada Post Freestyle Grand Prix at Ski Mont Gabriel on January 15 and 16, 2011 will be the first North American stop on the FIS Freestyle World Cup Mogul and Aerial circuit next season. This will give the boisterous Quebec Freestyle aficionados a chance to see Olympic champion Alex Bilodeau and his teammates in action at home. Fans from the western side of the country will also have a chance to see their high-flying heroes live when the tour stops at Winsport’s Canada Olympic Park in Calgary for the Canada Post Freestyle Grand Prix there on January 28 and 29.

Both events will feature mogul and aerial competitions.

The Calgary stop will be the final event in the lead up to the 2011 FIS Freestyle World Championships in Deer Valley, UT.

Canadian Freestyle Ski Association Peter Judge said, “There is no question that it would be almost impossible to host two Canadian World Cups without the support of Canada Post. And, the benefits of being a host nation are numerous. Not only do we have the chance to take advantage of host quota and forerunner spots for our emerging talent; but our home events give us a chance to develop a whole infrastructure of officials and volunteers.”

In all, there are ten mogul stops on the international tour, including new events in China and the Czech Republic. The seven scheduled aerial events include a first-ever World Cup in Belarus, a hotbed of aerial talent that has produced stars like 2010 crystal-globe winner Anton Kushnir and Olympic silver medallist (Torino) Dmitri Dashinski.

Canada Olympic Park World Cup, 2010

Furthermore, the Italians and the Swiss have both announced plans to begin full-time mogul programs next season.

“New countries and programs contribute to the globalization of Freestyle skiing which is crucial to the ongoing development of our sport,” said Judge.

For more information, please contact Media Relations Manager Kelley Korbin at: kelleykorbin@freestyleski.com.

Jenn Heil, Canada Post Athlete of the Year

These annual awards are presented to athletes based on their performance over the course of the entire competitive season. This year’s Canada Post Athlete of the Year is Jenn Heil; and, Canada Post Rookie of the Year is Mikael Kingsbury.

Heil, who hails from Spruce Grove, Alta and now lives in Montreal, had an incredible 2009-2010 season. She earned a silver medal at the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympic Games, eight FIS World Cup podium spots – four of them gold, and finished off the season with an incredible fifth-career FIS Crystal Globe in women’s moguls.

The Canadian team’s most recent mogul sensation, 17-year-old Kingsbury, from Deux Montagnes, Que., also had an impressive year. Not only did he take the 2009-2010 NorAm Grand Prix; but, he was also able to transfer his NorAm success to the world stage where he earned two fourth-place finishes in the last two World Cup events of the season, a remarkable accomplishment for a rookie that didn’t go unnoticed by the FIS who presented him with its Rookie of the Year award.

Mikael Kingsbury, Canada Post Rookie of the Year

CFSA High Performance Program Director David Mirota dubbed this year’s winners “the Legend and the Future Star,” adding that they both possess similar traits that make them winners.

“Heil and Kingsbury share a common passion, diligent work ethic and the intrinsic motivation and drive that is absolutely key to turning good athletes into great ones.” Mirota added that the CFSA selection board chose these athletes, in part, because both of them lead by example with their willingness to go the extra mile in training and in competition.

For more information or to set up an interview with Heil or Kingsbury, please contact Media Relations Manager Kelley Korbin at: kelleykorbin@freestyleski.com.

John Pomeroy

Lucinda Jagger, M.Ed, CSCS, CEP, will be leading the CFSA’s coaching program as the Coaching Development Project Manager. Jagger is coming to the CFSA on part-time secondment from Canadian Sport Centre Pacific and will be the lead manager for the CFSA coaching program. She will be responsible for overseeing the development of the technical skiing modules; the continuing CBET transition of the club coach and competition development — moguls coaching courses; coordinating all NCCP Level 4/5 coaching candidates; and, coordinating delivery the CFSA’s NCCP coaching courses, including Master Learning Facilitator and Learning Facilitator training.

Jagger previously worked with the CFSA as the strength and conditioning coach for the aerial high performance program and on various coaching initiatives.

John Pomeroy will be leading the CFSA’s technical program as the Technical Program Project Manager. Pomeroy returns to a position with which he is very familiar and will be managing the association’s officials and judging programs, development of the air qualification system, coordinating the training and development of scoring personnel and assisting with various domestic level events, including Junior Nationals and the Canada Winter Games.

In addition to the appointments of Jagger and Pomeroy, ex-World Cup aerialist Meredith Gardner has been appointed as interim Sport Development Director. Gardner will continue in her role developing the CAN Freestyle program, but will now have oversight of all CFSA sport development initiatives.

For more information, please contact:

Lucinda Jagger, email:  ljagger@cscpacific.ca

John Pomeroy, email:  johnpomeroy@freestyleski.com

Meredith Gardner, email:  meredithgardner@freestyleski.com

Canadian Halfpipe Champion Kris Atkinson of Calgary, AB.

This brings the thrilling sport of Ski Halfpipe one crucial step closer to inclusion in the Games. The next step will be for the IOC Program Commission to review the proposal and make a recommendation to the IOC Executive Board.

The final step in achieving inclusion will be a decision by the IOC that is expected in early November 2010.

The CFSA has long supported the inclusion of Ski Halfpipe into the Olympic Games and is prepared to start to develop a long term national program for the sport should it receive the final green light in November.

“We have a number of extremely strong and competitive halfpipe skiers in this country who have repeatedly excelled in competition, both in FIS World Cups and on the pro-circuit. We know that it is a lifelong dream for these athletes to have the opportunity to compete on the world stage at the Sochi Winter Olympic Games in 2014. We are working along with our FIS partners to help make this happen,” said CFSA CEO Peter Judge.

For more information, contact CFSA Media Relations Manager Kelley Korbin at: kelleykorbin@freestyle ski.com.

Some high profile members of the Canadian National Freestyle Ski Team have decided that this post-Olympic year is the perfect time to help groom the next generation of mogul champions.

Kristi Richards

Aiming to capitalize on the excitement generated for freestyle skiing by the Canadian team’s stellar showing at the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympic Games, Olympic champion Alex Bilodeau along with teammates Vincent Marquis, Kristi Richards and Chelsea Henitiuk will join myriad other professional mogul and freeride coaches on the Blackcomb Glacier this summer for Momentum Camps.

Bilodeau said he is ready to give back to the sport from the place he started. “I went to Momentum Camps when I was a kid and got really inspired learning from some of the best skiers in the world. Now it’s my turn to help some kids.”

Likewise Richards, who inspired a nation with her gutsy return from a heart-breaking fall in her final run at the Vancouver Games, said she too is ready to teach young skiers how to go for their dreams.

Momentum Camp Director John Smart is thrilled to have such a high-profile roster of coaches for his popular summer camp.

Alex Bilodeau

“Getting the best coaches has always been the mandate at Momentum. Our record and list of former campers who have gone on to become the new top skiers in the world is unmatched by any camp. Our formula is simple, we use the best skiers in the world to teach, motivate and inspire,” said Smart, himself a two-time Olympian.

The National Team mogul skiers will be joined at Momentum Camps by some of the worlds’ best halfpipe and slopestyle skiers including Canadians Sarah Burke, Mike Riddle, Roz Groenewoud and Justin Dorey.

Momentum’s camp sessions begins June 18. Accommodating both recreational and competitive youth or adult campers, Momentum is geared exclusively for skiers and offers either moguls, freeride (terrain park skiing) or the hybrid option, which provides three days of coaching in each discipline.  Momentum’s terrain features are designed by skiers for skiers, providing an exclusive training ground built for the purpose of progressing their campers. New for this week is a Girls Week option from July 2 – 10.

For more information about Momentum Camps, go to http://momentumskicamps.com. For more information about the Canadian Freestyle Ski Team, contact Media Relations Manager Kelley Korbin at: kelleykorbin@freestyleski.com

About the CFSA

The Canadian Freestyle Ski Association (CFSA) is the governing body in Canada for the sport of Freestyle Skiing. Our mission is to develop, in a safe, fun and ethical manner, Olympic and World Champions in all disciplines of the sport of Freestyle Skiing. You can learn more about us at: www.freestyleski.com.