Junior world champion Victor Primeau will play his first full season with the senior national team.
Primeau, who surprised everyone by reaching the top of the podium at Chiesa in Valmalenco in Italy last March, is excited about his debut with the big team.
“The caliber is really high and I will take it one competition at a time,” he said. I can’t wait to experience new cultures, travel and discover new foods. I check the Air Canada app every day to see what day our departure is.”
“It’s fun to discover all this in the company of my friends, with whom I have always competedI was very young to pursue Primeau. We push each other. Last year I made my World Cup debut and was able to learn from the older players. I took inspiration from them when preparing.”
A medal in sight
After reaching the podium twice last year, Alexandre Duchaine believes he is ready for his first career medal. “It’s my year and I don’t care about the color of the medal,” he emphasized. In the super final last year I did my best with a jump I had barely practiced. We realized that wasn’t a good strategy.”
This summer on the water ramps, Duchaine honed that jump, which could allow him to climb to the podium for the first time in his career.
A summer full of fire
Olympian Émile Nadeau, who achieved his first World Cup podium in Kazakhstan last year, had one heck of a summer of training, according to his coach Jeff Bean. “He had fire in his ass,” he introduced himself. He’s the guy I’ve seen do the most five-twist triple somersaults in my career. It was impressive to see him put in so much effort. He wants to win.”
Will Nadeau pull off his big maneuver in the snow? “I’m not sure, but it won’t be dangerous to try because I’ve done a lot of it this summer,” he explained. Ending the year well with a medal motivated me for the summer and the beginning of the season. I had my ups and downs last year, but I know I am capable of getting on the podium.”
Break for Flavie Aumond
Flavie Aumond, who qualified for the Beijing Games, suffered a serious fall at the World Championships in Georgia last year. She suffered a concussion and her cold affected her confidence.
“We have made a mutual decision and Flavie will sit out the season while she continues training in the gym,” Bean said. She has come back from her injury but the confidence is not there. We will reassess the situation after the season. “She is so talented that I am confident she will come back.”