Michaela Gosselin continues family’s tradition of excellence in alpine skiing

KINGSTON, Ont. – Michaela Gosselin studies geography and history at Queen’s University. She probably excels in those subjects since she travels around the world as a member of the Canadian Para alpine ski team.

Gosselin made an impressive Paralympic debut in 2022. In what was her rookie season, she competed in four events and posted two top-five finishes including a fourth in the women’s standing slalom. A few weeks earlier she won bronze in slalom at the world championships.

Unfortunately, following the Games she suffered a serious knee injury while training for a World Cup in St. Moritz, Switzerland.

The injury required a knee reconstruction, and she missed the entire 2022-23 season and most of 23-24. Gosselin, 23, only returned to action on March 19, 2024. She skied like a seasoned veteran placing fifth in the giant slalom at the World Cup in Sella Nevea, Italy.

For alpine skiers, injuries are part of the game.

‘’I’ve been through many upper body injuries that have kept me out for long periods of time, but this was probably the longest it took to rehab,’’ Gosselin told CPC in an interview last week. ‘’A big part of the rehab is mental preparation, and you don’t ski until you are cleared mentally, so I was pretty confident and excited to be back skiing.’’

Like all great athletes, Gosselin is determined to go through the process to get back on the slopes. She has a valuable ally and ear to borrow in her father Kevin Gosselin, a former member of the national alpine ski team.

Gosselin also lauded her teammates and support staff some of whom have experienced a similar process for her successful recovery.

‘’My knee is nearing pretty much 100 per cent,” she said. ’I’m just trying to get kind of muscle strength back, but I feel confident in my knee and I’m just excited to be tested more this season, with the racing.”

Gosselin grew up skiing at Osler Bluff Ski Club in Collingwood, Ont. She raced able body then coached for two seasons at the club.

She was diagnosed with cancer at age 18, which resulted in a scapulectomy of her left shoulder.

This past summer, Gosselin attended national team training camps in Whistler and Chile and is now with the team at Panorama, B.C.

‘’I’m just really trying to keep up my strength and endurance,’’ she said. ‘’I want to be as fit as possible before the season starts. Our training will look different once we start skiing again but it’s mostly in the gym for me (before Panorama).”

Gosselin was pleased to get back on the slopes at the end of last season.

‘’They were more like practice races for me but it was really great to get the nerves out,’’ she said. ‘’I got good results but I definitely didn’t feel I was back to where I was before the injury.

‘’Now the goal is to be in the best place I can for the 2026 Games.’’