Quebec Skier Laurence St-Germain Charts Course for Olympic Glory in Final Games
In the high-stakes world of alpine skiing, where European and American athletes often dominate the podium, Quebec's Laurence St-Germain has proven that determination and skill can carve out a place among the elite. As she prepares for what will likely be her final Olympic appearance at the Milano Cortina Games, the skier from Saint-Ferréol-les-Neiges is focused on achieving a medal-winning performance that would cap an inspiring career.
From World Champion to Olympic Contender
St-Germain, aged 31, stunned the international skiing community in 2023 by winning gold at the FIS Alpine Ski World Championships. This remarkable victory marked the first time a Canadian had claimed gold in this event in 63 years, and only the second time overall for Canada. In a thrilling race, she outperformed American skiing icon Mikaela Shiffrin, cementing her status as a formidable competitor on the global stage.
The skier hails from the small town of Saint-Ferréol-les-Neiges, located approximately 48 kilometres northeast of Quebec City. Her journey from this quiet community to the pinnacle of world skiing exemplifies the potential for athletes from diverse backgrounds to achieve greatness through perseverance and hard work.
Overcoming Challenges on the Road to Milano Cortina
The path to the 2026 Winter Olympics has not been without obstacles for St-Germain. Since her historic 2023 win, she has faced a series of injuries that disrupted her training and competition schedule. These setbacks kept her out of national training camps during the summer and caused her to miss the start of the World Cup season due to pain in her left knee.
"That was tough in an Olympics year, not being able to ski for that long," St-Germain revealed in an interview with the Canadian Press in late January. Despite these challenges, she demonstrated resilience by returning to competition in November and securing a top-10 finish in her first race of the 2025-26 season.
Olympic Experience and Medal Aspirations
St-Germain brings valuable experience to her third Olympic Games, having previously competed at Pyeongchang in 2018, where she finished 15th in slalom, and Beijing in 2022, where she placed 17th. Reflecting on her Olympic journey, she shared insights gained from these experiences.
"At my first Olympics, I didn't really have expectations. It was just exciting to be there," St-Germain told Olympics.ca. "At my second Games, I didn't perform nearly as well. What I learned was to give everything and have no regrets."
With this mindset, she approaches the Milano Cortina Games with clear objectives. "For the Games, I'm hoping for a medal," St-Germain stated. "At the world championships, it was not expected of me to do that and it's still unreal. So I think if I have a medal at the Olympics, it will feel even more insane."
Team Canada's Alpine and Ski Cross Prospects
St-Germain will be part of a 20-person squad representing Canada in alpine skiing and ski cross at the Milano Cortina Games. The team will compete in multiple disciplines, including downhill, super-G, giant slalom, and team alpine combined. She will be joined by fellow Olympians Valérie Grenier of Ottawa, who is also participating in her third Games, and Justine Lamontagne, another athlete from Saint-Ferréol-les-Neiges making her Olympic debut.
Leading Team Canada in alpine skiing is Toronto's James Crawford, who earned a bronze medal in men's alpine combined at Beijing 2022, marking Canada's first-ever medal in that discipline. The team carries the legacy of Canadian success in winter sports, with the nation having won 12 Olympic medals in alpine skiing historically.
In ski cross, Canada has established a strong tradition of excellence, with a Canadian woman winning a medal in every Games since the sport's Olympic debut in Vancouver 2010. Notable team members include Marielle Thompson of North Vancouver, a gold medalist at Sochi 2014 and silver medalist at Beijing 2022, who will be competing in her fourth Winter Games. She is accompanied by Brittany Phelan of Sainte-Agathe-des-Monts, a silver medalist at Pyeongchang 2018, also participating in her fourth Olympics. Overall, Canada has secured seven Olympic medals in ski cross.
Academic Background and Athletic Legacy
Beyond her skiing achievements, St-Germain holds a degree in computer science from the University of Vermont. During her collegiate career, she made history by becoming the first skier in the university's history to sweep both the slalom and giant slalom titles at the NCAA championships. According to olympic.ca, she was just the sixth woman ever to accomplish this feat, highlighting her exceptional talent across multiple skiing disciplines.
As Laurence St-Germain prepares for what may be her final Olympic appearance, her story serves as an inspiration to athletes across Quebec and Canada. From her humble beginnings in Saint-Ferréol-les-Neiges to her world championship victory and ongoing pursuit of Olympic glory, she embodies the spirit of determination and excellence that defines Canadian winter sports. The Milano Cortina Games present an opportunity for her to add another chapter to this remarkable journey, potentially culminating in a podium finish that would resonate throughout the skiing world.
