Lyne-Marie Bilodeau, Para Nordic skiing

Para nordic skiing

One day, Para nordic skier Lyne-Marie Bilodeau wants to represent Canada at the Paralympic Games.

“Maybe in 2022,” the 19-year-old from Sherbrooke, Quebec says. “I’m training every day for that, especially now since it’s just two years away.”

It’s something she’s been working toward for years, and now as a Next Generation team member she understands the hard work required to get there.

 

“Para sport is as difficult as any sport to reach the high level,” she says. “It’s not easier because we have disabilities. We still need to train the same number of days, for the same amount of hours for us to get to that high level.”

Bilodeau, who was born paralyzed on her left side, has been active her whole life. When she was four years old, she saw her older brother ski, so she started stand-up skiing alongside him. A little later, she started running, swimming and cycling as well, eventually participating in some Para triathlon events around the world.

After attending a Para nordic event in 2017, a national coach spotted her and recognized her potential. He convinced her to try sit-skiing and that’s when things changed. She found a new community and people who had similar interests and abilities.

“I saw other athletes who had disabilities, I thought if they can do that, I can do that,” she says. “It was very inspirational.”

Her skill in the sit-ski became apparent. At the 2019 Canada Games, Bilodeau claimed top spot in three events: Para nordic sitting 2.5 km, 5 km, and sprint.

Bilodeau credits her coach Patrick Laliberté and the Next Generation resources from Nordiq Canada, funded in part by the ImagiNation initiative, in helping her reach the higher levels she’s strived for.

“The Next Gen program has helped me learn how to train correctly,” she says. “It’s helped me move from being an athlete to becoming a high-level athlete.”

“It’s like a step,” she adds, one that bridges the gap from being an up-and-coming athlete to an athlete with podium potential. “Next Gen programs help an athlete like me get ready to be on the Canadian team. It helps me get all I need to win the gold.”