Vancouver (BC), Canada – After ten years on the Canadian National Team and 19 top-ten FIS World Cup finishes, including eight podiums highlighted by two wins, aerialist Ryan Blais announced on Monday that he is retiring from the Canadian Freestyle Ski Team.nBlais was the kind of competitor who thrived under the most intense pressure. In fact, on three occasions he needed podium finishes at the final qualifying events to earn himself a spot at high profile events: for the 2003 FIS World Championships as well as both the 2006 and 2010 Olympic Games. In all three occasions the Grande Prairie, Alberta native found it in himself to come through with medal showings, all three times in Lake Placid, N.Y., the location where he and his teammates trained from 2001 to 2005.

Blais was in good company as part of what was widely considered the world’s strongest men’s aerials team – a team that included Steve Omischl, Jeff Bean, Kyle Nissen and Warren Shouldice. In the end, in both of those Olympic bids (2006 and 2010) his last-minute podium finishes were not quite enough to earn Blais a spot on the Canadian Olympic team, despite his clear podium potential and strong world rankings.

To his credit, Blais has never let these heart-wrenching disappointments color his outlook on life.

“I’ve always known that winning an Olympic medal for my country was a huge challenge, and one that I was committed to, but I’ve also known that because I was part of the elite Canadian Airforce, half the struggle was going to be securing that chance. I feel lucky to have been immersed in a team where I found my best friends became my most competitive rivals. This pushed us all so much further within our sport. Ultimately I was able to live the Olympic dream vicariously through my best friends, and I feel that although this wasn’t my goal, it is still something that I’m proud of — a special memory I will take with me as I transition away from sport.”

Many of the highs and lows of Blais’ career can be underscored by a series of injuries that certainly provided a steady amount of adversity, including at torn right ACL, torn left and right rotator cuffs, a broken leg and, most recently a career-ending left knee injury.

For this 10-year veteran of the Canadian Team, the 2010-11 season was supposed to be a swan song, a chance for Blais to end his career with a farewell performance at the 2011 FIS World Championships.

Unfortunately a routine pre-season spill at a training camp in November put an abrupt end to that plan, and to Blais’ career.

Blais took the winter to mull over his options, and at the same time used the opportunity of some time off to build what is quickly becoming a successful digital media consulting company – www.GoSocial.ca – Digital Media Solutions.

Last week Blais made the final decision to end his athletic career.

He said, “Although this is not the end I was hoping for I feel that I’m ready to transition from Aerials and I’m excited for new challenges. I’ve had a career with ups and downs, but mainly when I look back I feel that I’ve had a great career filled with great memories, accomplishments and personal growth. The highlight will be knowing that I represented my country on the world stage and put everything on the line – never fearing failure.”

Known almost as well for his charity, charm and social media works as his aerials prowess, Blais was always ready and willing to offer assistance, athletic or otherwise, to his teammates.

Coach Daniel Murphy said, “I have really enjoyed working with Ryan for the past five years and he had a great career in Freestyle. The CFSA was fortunate to have Ryan as an athlete for all these years and his work ethic, love for the sport and perseverance is something our younger athletes should take note of. I have also always been very impressed with his involvement with his local community and his foundation to help young athletes. Together with his athletic skill, this shows how Ryan is a true fan of the sport.”

Blais was the first aerialist (in 2010) to land on the World Cup podium with a Full, Full, Double Full — a month later Alexie Grishin (BLR) and Liu Zhongging (CHN) won respective Olympic Gold and Bronze medals with the help of this exact trick.

Blais was not only an innovator on the jump site, he also used his intellectual talents to further the sport. He was a CFSA Athlete Representative, founded the Come Fly With Me Foundation to help local Grande Prairie athletes achieve their goals, and is currently Vice-Chair FIS Athlete Commission, where he developed a social media site called DemocraSki.com for FIS athletes.

It is in his capacity as an athlete leader that Blais chooses to end his Freestyle career. In tandem with the announcement of his retirement, Blais will be hosting a social media campaign on April 15 — the 15 Hour Giving Challenge — to raise awareness and funds for the next generation of athletes and the Come Fly With Me Foundation.