Olympic mogul skiing gold medalist Jean-Luc Brassard is from Salaberry-de-Valleyfield. He now lives with his wife Shana and his children Gray and Ciel in his parents’ home, where he grew up, in Grande-Île, near Valleyfield.
His wife gets up every morning with a smile on her face and arms raised and proclaims, “Another beautiful day awaits us.” He is not afraid to say that his children are blessed to have such a wonderful mother. He made me aware that men like him are often afraid to acknowledge the role their partner plays in their lives. He realized that Shana made him come down from his athlete pedestal and become a better man and a good family man.
The show The world of sports You’ve learned about mogul skiing.
I was in Mont-Avila with my friends in the family caravan and we were watching the mogul ski competition on TV. I still have the recording tape for this show, but it is extremely worn from the many times I have seen it. My first teacher was this famous tape.
Your sister influenced you.
My sister Anne-Marie was competing in mogul skiing and wanted me to try it. She was able to do this because for several years I spent my winters on the ski slopes and only took off my ski boots once in the car when I got home.
The sport stopped you from making bad shots.
Through sports I was able to spend quality time with my classmates. Sport has taught me to become a better person. Except once.
Michel Rochefort of Valleyfield played an important role in your life.
Michel was a school teacher, but not mine. He worked closely with my father to develop the sport in the communities. He introduced me to baseball even though I didn’t play baseball. He led the Little League team that competed in the World Championship in Williamsport. I attended regular season games at Sauvé Park with my father.
The best memory of your youth.
There is nothing warmer and more emotional in my life than the times my father threw a ball with me along the river or in a field.
The family wanted to see the Expos.
We couldn’t afford to visit the Canadian. We left the house with my father and drove towards the Olympic Stadium to see the Expos. When we got back, my sister and I slept in the hatchback all the way home. I had just seen my heroes.
Who were your heroes?
Warren Cromartie, Tim Raines stealing bases, Andre Dawson hitting home runs and last but not least Gary Carter. For me they are my legends, just like the Old Canadians are for many others.
Guy Lafleur has a special place in your life.
At first I was intimidated by the aura he exuded, until one day I learned that he had other passions in life besides hockey. He had the same thing as me. We talked about travel and the places we had visited. The beauty of the landscapes, from the top of his helicopter, and me, from the top of a mountain.
You haven’t finished high school yet.
I came from a school with almost 300 students. Suddenly there were so many young people around me at the Collège Notre-Dame. They diagnosed me with school phobia. I couldn’t finish high school.
How did your parents react?
My father Jean and my mother Jeanne-D’Arc are professional teachers. There was no question of me being punished, but of them trying to understand this phobia that had gripped me. Her response enabled me to live a healthy life even though I never completed my studies.
What is the result of your parents’ influence?
After a competition, it was more important to them that I had fun. Given my academic struggles, they found time to help me improve my math and other subjects. They wanted me to discover the towns and villages near my competition locations.
You learned your English in the ski lifts.
I regretted not being more attentive in my English class. First, the person next to me asked me my name and I replied, “Thank you.”
You loved listening to athletes tell their stories.
The speed skater Gaétan Boucher was a role model after his Olympic success. Listening to the Langlois, Larouche, as well as my father and a friend of my father who helped me a lot, Ted Dumaine, it was a historical source in the world of mogul skiing.
Who started your international career?
I had just won the World Cup in Mont-Gabriel and we were celebrating my last victory and competition. I didn’t have the financial resources to continue my career. Journal de Montréal journalist Mario Brisebois came up to me and invited me to meet a person in the hallway… Rodger, you make me cry and I didn’t expect my reaction at all. [Courte pause, puis, avec une voix tremblante et les larmes qui coulent toujours.] A businessman comes up to me and gives me $1000. Without this man I would never have been able to continue my career and win an Olympic medal. Many thanks to Mr. Bernard Trottier, the owner of Bernard Trottier Sports.