Alexandre Bilodeau, a Canadian freestyle skiing legend, wasn’t always destined for the slopes. As a young boy, he played hockey, a sport popular in his home country. However, his family encouraged him to try skiing at the tender age of seven. They saw it as an activity that everyone could enjoy, including his older brother Frédéric, who lives with cerebral palsy and couldn’t play hockey. While initially reluctant, Bilodeau’s natural talent for jumping and his innate ability to master freestyle skiing soon became apparent. By his early teens, he was competing in both aerials and moguls but ultimately chose to focus on the latter. His background in aerials proved beneficial, enhancing his skills as a moguls skier. At just fourteen, he achieved a remarkable feat, becoming the youngest athlete to execute a triple jump in competition.
Early Success and Setbacks
Bilodeau’s journey began with a flurry of triumphs. He quickly rose to prominence in the world of competitive skiing. At the 2005 Fernie Nor Am, he made history as the first freestyle moguls skier to land a double twisting flip in competition. The following year, at the 2006 Ski Mont Gabriel, he achieved another milestone, becoming the youngest skier ever to win a gold medal at a World Cup event. These impressive accomplishments earned him the prestigious “Rookie of the Year” award for men’s moguls. However, despite his initial success, Bilodeau faced challenges. He struggled with concentration during competitions, leading to a decline in his performance. Undeterred, he sought alternative training methods, such as biofeedback, to regain his focus. The new training strategies proved effective, and by the end of the 2008-09 season, he was back on top.
Triumphant Returns and Olympic Glory
The 2009 season witnessed a remarkable Canadian dominance at the Ski Mont Gabriel World Cup. Bilodeau and his teammates, Vincent Marquis and Pierre-Alexandre Rousseau, achieved an unprecedented feat, securing the top three spots on the podium. Bilodeau’s unwavering determination and exceptional skills propelled him to accumulate five World Cup gold medals, three silvers, and a world championship title in dual moguls leading up to the 2010 Olympic Winter Games in Vancouver. In addition to these victories, he garnered three international titles: 2009 FIS Overall Champion, 2009 FIS World Cup Mogul Champion, and 2009 Dual Mogul World Champion. Entering the 2010 Olympic Games, Bilodeau was ranked fourth in the world. Despite challenging conditions at Vancouver’s Cypress Mountain, he delivered a flawless performance. His perfect backflip and masterful navigation through the moguls earned him a score of 26.75 points, securing him the Olympic gold medal. This historic victory marked the first time a Canadian athlete had won an Olympic gold medal on home soil. It was also Canada’s first Olympic gold in moguls since Jean-Luc Brassard’s win in 1994. Bilodeau attributed his success to the inspiration of his brother Frédéric and the legacy of legendary skiers like Brassard.
A Legacy of Success and Advocacy
Bilodeau’s reign of success continued in the years following his first Olympic victory. He claimed two world championships in dual moguls, one in Deer Valley, Utah (2011), and another in Voss, Norway (2013). He also secured two silver medals at the world championships and finished second on the World Cup circuit in 2011 and 2013. Despite facing stiff competition from fellow Canadian Mikaël Kingsbury, who was considered the world’s top mogulist, Bilodeau remained a formidable force. In a pivotal moment, he narrowly defeated Kingsbury in a World Cup event in Deer Valley, Utah, demonstrating his unwavering determination. At the 2014 Olympic Winter Games in Sochi, Bilodeau defended his title, winning his second consecutive gold medal, with Kingsbury taking silver. His second Olympic triumph was a testament to his resilience and ability to perform under pressure. In a thrilling final round, he executed a perfect back double full and off-axis 1080, securing a score of 26.31 points and solidifying his position as a skiing icon. Beyond his athletic achievements, Bilodeau has made a significant impact as an advocate for individuals living with neurological disorders. He has served as a national spokesperson for people with disabilities, working closely with the Canadian Association of Paediatric Health Centres. In 2012, he and his brother Frédéric represented Canada as ambassadors for World Cerebral Palsy Day. His dedication to promoting inclusivity and accessibility has earned him widespread recognition and admiration. In 2015, Bilodeau received a Meritorious Service Medal from the Governor General of Canada. In 2017, he was honored with a Medal of Honour from Quebec’s National Assembly. His contributions to sports and advocacy have cemented his place in Canadian history. He was inducted into the Quebec Sports Hall of Fame in 2015, Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame in 2019, and the Canadian Ski Hall of Fame in 2020.
