Justine Dufour-Lapointe made a triumphant return to competitive skiing by winning the first stage of the Freeride World Tour in Baqueira Beret, Spain. After a year away due to her mother’s illness and passing, she faced her fears on the challenging La Bamba slope. Throughout her run, she felt her mother’s presence, racing in her honor. Despite the emotional journey, Dufour-Lapointe expressed her excitement and pride in executing her planned run, looking forward to the next competition in Val Thorens, France.
Justine Dufour-Lapointe Triumphantly Returns to Competition with a Win
After stepping away from the competitive scene last year due to her mother’s illness and subsequent passing, Justine Dufour-Lapointe made an impressive return by clinching victory at the opening stage of the Freeride World Tour season at the beautiful Baqueira Beret resort in Spain on Friday.
As the reigning champion of her discipline, Dufour-Lapointe experienced a whirlwind of emotions while launching from the daunting La Bamba, which features steep inclines of up to 53 degrees. Having previously participated in the Olympics three times in mogul skiing, her journey back to competition was both thrilling and nerve-wracking.
Facing Fears and Honoring Her Mother
“I felt scared, and returning to competition after such a long break was daunting,” Justine admitted. “It’s an extreme sport, and you need to be all in. I wasn’t sure if I could still perform at this level. However, my years of skiing came flooding back, and everything fell into place. It truly felt like riding a bike. Crossing the finish line brought a tremendous sense of relief.”
Throughout her run, Justine felt her mother’s presence keenly. “At the mountain’s peak, I sensed her beside me, closer than I had felt in recent months,” she shared, her voice full of emotion. “I could hear her urging me to stay cautious. It felt magical to know she was with me. I raced in her honor and found the strength to tackle this significant challenge.”
“This was my first race without my mom, and it carried a special significance, especially following the legacy of the gold medalist from the Sochi 2014 Games. She was my biggest supporter, my rock, and believed in all my dreams. The void felt overwhelming before I began. On race day mornings, she would always send me a message saying, ‘Go for it, my doll, you’ve got this!’”
Reflections on Victory and Moving Forward
After completing her run, an old instinct took over. “As soon as I reached the bottom, I instinctively thought about calling my mom. She was always the first person I reached out to after a race. Then it hit me that I couldn’t do that anymore; everything has changed. It’s a deep ache in my heart, and I need to navigate through this grief process,” she reflected.
Despite grappling with uncertainties about her career, Dufour-Lapointe is resolute about her passion for skiing. “Deep down, I knew I wasn’t done yet,” she explained. “I’m evolving in this new sport and eager to discover my limits. The desire to ski outweighed my fears.”
“I entered this new season with a positive mindset, embracing life with a smile,” she added, proudly representing Quebec and Canada. This victory at the season opener has filled her with joy and accomplishment. “I’m proud and thrilled. I executed the run I envisioned, maintained control, and landed my backflip. My confidence in my skills has grown, and I’m gaining speed. The adrenaline has never been this intense!”
Looking ahead, the next stage of the Freeride World Tour is set to take place next week in Val Thorens, France.