Vancouver, Canada – The Canadian Freestyle Ski Association (CFSA) announced today that National Team mogul skier Stéphanie St.-Pierre is retiring from the competitive circuit.nSt.-Pierre joined the National Team in 2002, at 17 years of age. A rising star, she quickly proved her talent, earning her first World Cup victory in 2003.
She went on to seven more World Cup podiums over the course of her career. She also had a third place finish at the 2003 World Championships in Deer Valley, Utah; and finished 12th at the 2006 Torino Winter Olympic Games.
St.-Pierre’s career was unfortunately cut short by a series of knee injuries, the latest occurring during the 2008-09 ski season.
While her teammates continued on the World Cup circuit, St.-Pierre used this past year to rehabilitate and begin her university studies in communications and marketing at Sherbrooke University in Quebec. It was during this time that she realized she was ready to move her life in a new direction.
“Not skiing this year was difficult at first, but it made me realize that I’m ready for new challenges. School has been really exciting and rewarding and I’m looking forward to next year when I will have a work experience opportunity to try out my marketing skills with a pharmaceutical company,” said St.-Pierre.
She added that her athletic career has had an enormous impact on her ability to focus and succeed in her academic life, saying, “Skiing has had a tremendous positive influence in my life. The discipline and determination I learned – and even the injuries – have given me confidence and inspired me. I’m really looking forward to my future.”
CFSA CEO Peter Judge said he is disappointed that the team will lose such a strong member, but salutes her decision. “Stephanie has had a big impact on our sport beyond even her results and will certainly be missed in our program. She has played a significant role in helping to develop athletes and has proven to be a great role model for our younger athletes,” Judge said.
St.-Pierre sends her appreciation to all those who have supported her freestyle career over the years, including her teammates, coaches, medical staff, B2ten and especially Coach Dominick Gauthier and her parents, Chantal Verville and Luc St.-Pierre. She is also appreciative of the members of the media who have followed her and the sport for so many years. Finally, she says she never could have done it without the support of CFSA and personal sponsors, including Canada Post, Bell, RBC, Columbia Sportswear, Ernst & Young, Hart, Rona, Oakley, McDonald’s and Micromédica.