Laurence St-Germain, the Canadian alpine skier who made history by clinching the slalom title at the World Championships in Méribel, France, is gearing up for the 2026 Milan Cortina Olympics with renewed determination. Despite her monumental victory last year, the seasoned athlete has faced a series of setbacks that have made her Olympic journey fraught with challenges. As she prepares for her third Winter Games, St-Germain is not just seeking to reclaim her title but to savour a moment that has thus far eluded her.
A Historic Triumph
St-Germain’s stunning performance on February 18, 2023, saw her dethrone first-run leader Mikaela Shiffrin, marking her as the first Canadian woman in over six decades to win the world slalom championship. However, when she reflects on that moment, the details blur amidst the adrenaline and excitement. “The whole podium and the finish part, it’s blurry,” she admitted. “I was way too much on a high… That’s really why I want even more to reach another podium, so I can remember more.”
With the Olympic podium in her sights, St-Germain is eager for a victory that she can fully appreciate and recall, whilst recognising that the road ahead is anything but straightforward.
Battling Adversity
The 31-year-old from Saint-Ferréol-les-Neiges, Quebec, has experienced a challenging few years marred by injuries that left her contemplating retirement. A thumb injury last spring was merely the beginning of a series of physical setbacks, including a torn ligament in her left ankle compounded by bone edema, and persistent back pain. This off-season, an old knee injury re-emerged, severely limiting her mobility and forcing her to undergo two platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections.
“It was such a chronic pain, and I was like, ‘Oh my God, I’m old,’” St-Germain shared. “That was the hardest thing with this summer, was questioning if I’ll have to be done, and I feel like that’s the biggest nightmare for athletes, is to be forced to be done instead of choosing to be done.”
Despite these challenges, St-Germain made a promising start to the season, finishing 11th in Gurgl, Austria, after only a handful of training days on snow. Her resilience was evident as she secured top-15 finishes in subsequent World Cup races, although her journey has not been without hiccups—she failed to finish her first run at Kranjska Gora and experienced a crash in Flachau.
Olympic Aspirations
The women’s slalom event at the upcoming Olympics is scheduled for February 18, 2026, in Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy. St-Germain’s ambition is clear: “Hoping for a medal and that’s my goal,” she stated. “That would be insane. Like already at the world champs when I won, it was not expected of me to do that, and it was still unreal.”
St-Germain’s early introduction to skiing was no accident; born into a family immersed in the sport—her father, Jean-François, was a moguls professional—she took to the slopes at a tender age. Her first skiing experience involved singing a Christmas tune all the way down the hill, showcasing the joy that skiing has always brought her.
After a rocky start in her career, including being cut from the Canadian development team, St-Germain found her footing at the University of Vermont, where she balanced her studies in computer science with competitive skiing, winning two NCAA titles and ultimately earning her place back on the national team.
A Dual Focus
Currently, St-Germain is pursuing a second degree in biomechanical engineering at Polytechnique Montréal, with aspirations to work in robotics and prosthetics after her skiing career concludes. At 31, she acknowledges that this Olympic appearance may be her last, adding an emotional weight to her preparations.
Despite the uncertainty surrounding her future in skiing, she has learned to thrive under pressure, a skill that will be invaluable as she approaches her Olympic challenge. “I compete well under pressure,” she reflected. “I can really attack and feel confident about my capacity to attack, from top to bottom. I think that’s what really made a difference. That’s the approach I want to have every race this year, because I think it worked then, and it should work now.”
Why it Matters
St-Germain’s journey encapsulates the spirit of perseverance in sports. Her story resonates with many, exemplifying how athletes can overcome adversity through strength and determination. As she prepares for the Olympics, her experiences highlight not only the physical demands of alpine skiing but also the mental fortitude required to excel at the highest levels. The upcoming Games offer her a chance not only for personal redemption but also to inspire a new generation of athletes in Canada and beyond.
