After achieving an almost unexpected solo Olympic qualification at just 18 years old, Miha Fontaine, like several athletes before him, experienced a difficult return from the Games.
A bronze medalist in the mixed team aerial competition with Marion Thénault and Lewis Irving in Beijing in 2022, Fontaine struggled to cope with the pressure that came with his new status.
“When I came back from the games it was difficult to deal with the pressure,” said the diver, who will celebrate his 20th birthday at the beginning of January. I had never felt any stress or pressure in the past, but this was the new reality after the Games and I had to find a solution.”
“In Beijing it’s like I’m out of my body and jumping alone,” Fontaine continued. I worked a lot on mental preparation, which I had never done in the past. When you’re alone in Georgia and things are going bad it’s boring, but looking back I think it was the best thing that could have happened to me. I will build on that.”
High expectations
After returning from Beijing, Fontaine was convinced that he would achieve a series of successes. “After the games I had high expectations and thought the results would come naturally,” he admitted. It takes work. Since Mikaël Kingsbury is the best mogul skier in the world, I wondered why he trained so much over the summer. I realized that if you want to be the best, you always have to strive.”
Nothing helps, Fontaine injured his knee while rafting this summer when his boat tipped over. “With this injury, my morale was down. It wasn’t until September that I was able to start training on the water ramps. In our sport, most of it happens in the head. Despite a shortened training time, I found the same level of difficulty in my jumps as last year.”
How does he imagine the next season, which starts on December 2nd and 3rd in Ruka, Finland? “My goals are more personal than results,” he emphasized. I want to regain self-confidence and consistency. If I can do this, the results will come later.
A coach who doesn’t worry at all
Team Canada’s head coach Jeff Bean isn’t worried about the tumultuous season his protégé endured last year. “I said to Miha, ‘You’re so good, you just have to take your time and be patient,'” said the three-time Olympian, who finished fourth at the 2002 Salt Lake City Olympics. Me and his dad retired when we were 30. He still has a lot of time. His trip to Beijing was perfect and everything worked out.”
“Miha is so demanding of himself that I told him to give himself a little chance and take a breath and go after Bean. He qualified for the Games so quickly and became an overnight star. At just 19 years old, it was normal to experience a season like this. And let’s be honest, sixth place is anything but bad.”
Bean is glad Fontaine accepted the help of a mental coach. “At 17 you think you’re unbeatable. The three of us work together and his long-term successes don’t stress me out. “He has something you can’t buy: his passion for his sport.”