With an Olympic medal in Sochi in 2014 and four appearances at the Games, freestyle skier Chloé Dufour-Lapointe announced on Wednesday that she was hanging up her skis at the pinnacle of retirement after 15 years on the World Cup circuit. world.
• Read also: Freestyle skiing: Chloé Dufour-Lapointe listened to her inner voice
Silver medalist at the Sochi Games alongside her sister Justine, who was on the top step of the podium, the 30-year-old mogul specialist is very happy with her career
Photo archives, QMI Agency
“I didn’t think I would last this long, but I hadn’t set myself any limits,” she says from the outset. “I’m proud of my journey and my progress. I improved until the end and I was doing the same jumps as the younger ones. In Beijing [l’hiver dernier]I achieved the best cork of my career. »
Photo d’archives, Didier Debusschère
Chloé Dufour-Lapointe bid farewell to the Olympics by posting the best performance in Canadian women’s moguls at the Beijing Games last winter.
“I am grateful to be able to step down on my own terms,” Dufour-Lapointe continued. No one pushed me out and I’m happy to retire healthy. Thank you to my physical trainer Paul Gagné who watched over my body for all these years. »
In his victories, his defeats, his joys and his sorrows, without forgetting the podium with his two sisters on January 23, 2016 at the Val Saint-Côme station, in Lanaudière, which remains a highlight of his career, Dufour-Lapointe believes that he has learned a lot during his long journey.
“I remember a lot from my experiences and I learned a lot about myself,” she said. I learned a lot of lessons that will serve me for my post-career. Sport has been a school of life. »
“Wicked merry-go-round”
Selected to the Canadian team in 2008, Dufour-Lapointe quickly rose to prominence by finishing fifth at the Vancouver Games in 2010. Her medal four years later in Russia—propelled her to another level.
“After 2014, my life changed, summarized Chloé, who was on the podium holding Justine’s hand. It was a nasty ride. We are preparing to deliver a good performance, but we are not preparing for what follows. The marketing universe has experienced a boom, especially with the launch of Instagram.— We were publishing more content. I am very proud to have shared my experience with people and to have better played my role as a role model for young girls by advocating physical activity. »
A little twinge in the heart
When the members of the Canadian team recently took the direction of Whistler, among other things for the preparation camps, Dufour-Lapointe had a twinge in the heart which quickly disappeared.
“Instead of always being on the snow, I was able to spend the summer at home and time with my family. I feel in the right place at the right time. I am very, very calm in my decision. »
Back to school
Photo archives, QMI Agency
Chloé will complete her studies in fashion management and design at the University of Quebec in Montreal, which she began during the pandemic, and will continue her commitment to the Tissées Serrées winter clothing collection with her sisters Justine and Maxime.
“My studies will allow me to better equip myself for my work within the company and I also want to continue to give conferences, she underlined. I would also like to continue doing television. I can’t see myself doing just one thing. »
“I have to determine what I want to prioritize, but I need a variety of activities, to add the best Canadian at the Beijing Games with a ninth place. I want to use the achievements and experience of my career for the future. »