Laurie Blouin, a 29-year-old Canadian snowboarder, is preparing for her final Olympic competition with a focus on the future rather than nostalgia. Scheduled to participate in the slopestyle qualifications on February 16, Blouin is embracing each moment of this unique experience.
Embracing the Last Olympic Journey
Competing in her third Olympic Games, Blouin reflects on her past yet chooses to concentrate on her current journey. She won a silver medal in slopestyle at the 2018 PyeongChang Olympics, marking a significant achievement in her career.
Mindset Ahead of Competition
Despite knowing these are her last Olympics, Blouin hasn’t allowed herself to dwell on this reality. Instead, she aims to enjoy the little moments. After her previous event, Big Air, she focused on relaxation and fun, feeling less pressure compared to her experience in the 2022 Games.
- Last Olympics: Yes
- Slopestyle Qualification Date: February 16
- 2018 PyeongChang Medal: Silver in Slopestyle
Support from Family and Peers
Juliette Pelchat, a fellow snowboarder and Blouin’s younger sister, shared mixed feelings about Laurie’s last Olympics. Although she feels happy to share these moments, she also expresses sadness about the impending end of Laurie’s competitive career. Nevertheless, she remains optimistic about future snowboarding adventures together.
Future Aspirations
Pelchat, only 21, recalls watching the Olympics while camping in 2018 and wonders how far she has come. Now, she looks to her sister for guidance, absorbing every lesson to improve her skills. With aspirations to apply the knowledge gained from the Big Air event, she believes she can succeed in slopestyle.
Competition Strategy and Insights
Blouin is determined to add another medal to her collection in slopestyle. She emphasizes that while winning is a goal, it is not an obsession. Her focus lies on executing clean runs over attempting overly ambitious tricks. She learned this from watching skiers during practice, recognizing that precision is vital on complex modules.
- Clean Execution: Priority in Performance
- Medal Aspiration: Realistically achievable
- Enjoyment: Key to Success
Reflecting on Heritage
Pelchat honors her father, JF, a prominent figure in Canadian snowboarding, and conveys her pride in participating in the Games. Her connection to family continues to motivate her as she embarks on her Olympic journey.
As the countdown to the slopestyle qualifications begins, Laurie Blouin remains dedicated to making her final Olympic appearance memorable, with the hope of one last medal to cap off her impressive career.
