Hall of Famer

Nicolas Fontaine

Affiliated Discipline(s): Freestyle
Hometown: Magog, Que.
Induction CSHF: 2007
Induction Category: Freestyle, Aerials
Nicolas Fontaine. Canadian Freestyle Ski Association.

By claiming the World Cup Freestyle Aerials title for four consecutive seasons, 1997, 1998, 1999, and 2000, Nicolas ‘Nico’ Fontaine was the world’s most accomplished aerialist of his time.

At the 2000 Canadian National Freestyle Championships held at Mont Gabriel, Quebec, he became the first competitor to ever complete two quadruple somersaults. He had hoped that by consistently performing these most difficult jumps they would be internationally accepted and introduced at the 2002 XIX Olympic Winter Games, held at Salt Lake City, USA. Unfortunately, he was to be disappointed as other countries were unable to provide the facilities to allow their athletes to perform the same manoeuvres consistently.

He was a member of Canada’s National Freestyle Ski Team from 1991 to 2003 and represented his country at four Olympic Winter Games, in 1992 at the XVI Games, Albertville, France (Demonstration Sport), in 1994 at the XVII Games, Lillehammer, Norway, in 1998 at the XVIII
Games, Nagano, Japan and in 2002 at Salt Lake, USA. He placed in the Top10 on three occasions An articulate speaker and inspirational leader of the Canadian Freestyle Team, “He represented his country, his sport, team mates and sponsors with grace throughout his career.” His
exemplary conduct and leadership was honoured when he won the John Semmelink Memorial Award on three consecutive occasions, 1996/1997, 1998/1999/1999/2000. This award is presented annually to the athlete who, through sportsmanship, conduct and ability, best
represents Canada in international competition.

Since his retirement, he has been involved in the development, funding and construction of one of the world’s best water training facilities in Le Relais, Quebec. He is co-developer and Head Coach of “Jump 2010”, a national aerials training and development program for the XXI Olympic Winter Games to be held at Whistler Mountain, British Columbia. Recognizing that freestyle aerials had no “feeder” system unlike other disciplines, he turned to other disciplines, specifically gymnastics, and trampoline to recruit potential talent.

Competitively, his record is impressive and perhaps unmatched. On the World Cup circuit, he competed in 116 aerials events finishing in the Top 10 84 times. He competed at the World Freestyle Championships 7-times, finishing in the Top 10 on 5-occasions. In national competition,
he placed 1st in the frees3tyle ski championships in 1990, 1996, 1997, 1998 and 2000.

Competitive highlights in World Cup and other freestyle aerials competition (Top 10 finishes only)

1990
7th place, World Cup, Piancavello, Italy

1991
4th place, World Cup, Blackcomb, British Columbia
2nd place, World Cup, Breckenridge, USA
10th place, World Cup, Mont Gabriel, Quebec
6th place, World Freestyle Ski Championships, Lake Placid. USA
6th place, World Cup, Zermatt, Switzerland
6th place, World Cup, Piancavello, Italy

1992
4th place, World Cup, Blackcomb, British Columbia
3rd place, World Cup, Oberjoch, Germany
1st place, Demonstration Event Qualification, XVII Olympic Winter Games, Albertville, France
2nd place, Demonstration Event Finals, XVII Olympic Winter Games, Albertville, France
2nd place, World Cup, Morzine, France
2nd place, World Cup, Madarao, Japan
8th place, World Cup, Tignes, France
9th place, World Cup, Piancavello, Italy

1993
9th place, World Cup, Blackcomb, British Columbia
4th place, World Cup, La Relais, Quebec
7th place, World Cup, La Plagne, France
6th place, FIS Qualification, Altenmarkt-Zauchensee, Austria
8th place, World Freestyle Ski Championships, Altenmarkt-Zauchensee, Austria
4th place, World Cup, Lillehammer, Norway
5th place, World Cup, Tignes, France
1st place, World Cup, Pianvcavello, Italy

1994
1st place, World Cup, Blackcomb, British Columbia
8th place, World Cup, Lake Placid, USA
9th place, World Cup, Lake Placid, USA
4th place, World Cup, La Clusaz, France
2nd place, World Cup, Hundfjaellet, Sweden
7th place, Qualification event, XVII Olympic Winter Games, Lillehammer, Norway
6th place, Aerials Final, XVII Olympic Winter Games, Lillehammer, Norway
10th place, World Cup, Meiringen-Hasliberg, Switzerland

1995
3rd place, World Cup, Blackcomb, British Columbia
7th place, World Cup, Breckenridge, USA
9th place, World cup, La Relais, Quebec
10 place, World Cup, Oberjoch, Germany
3rd place, World Cup, Altenmarkt-Zauchensee, Austria
2nd place, FIS Qualification, La Clusaz, France
4th place, World Freestyle Championships La Clusaz, France
10th place, World Cup, Hundfjaellet, Sweden
6th place, World Cup, Hundfjaellet, Sweden
7th place, World Cup, Tignes, France
7th place, World Cup, La Plagne, France

1996
5th place, World Cup, Lake Placid, USA
3rd place, World cup, Breckenridge, USA
3rd place, World Cup, Mont Tremblant, Quebec
8th place, World Cup, Mont Tremblant, Quebec
4th place, World Cup, Oberjoch, Germany
3rd place, World Cup, Oberjoch, Germany
3rd place, World Cup, La Plagne, France
3rd place, World Cup, La Plagne, france
6th place, World Cup, Piancavello, Italy

1997
9th place, World Cup, Mont Tremblant, Quebec
1st place, World Cup, Blackcomb, British Columbia
4th place, World Cup, Breckenridge, USA
1st place, World Cup, Breckenridge, USA
2nd place, FIS Qualification, Lizuna Kogen, Japan
1st place, World Freestyle Ski Championships, Lizuna Kogen, Japan
3rd place, World Cup, Kirchberg, Austria
2nd place, World Cup, Kirchberg, Austria
6th place, World Cup, Mieringen-Hasliberg, Switzerland
7th place, World cup, Altenmarkt-Zauchensee, Austria
1st place, World Cup, Altenmarkt-Zauchensee, Austria
4th place, World Cup, Hundfjaellet, Sweden
1st place, World Cup, Mount Buller, Australia
6th place, World Cup, Mount Buller
7th place, World Cup, Tignes, France
2nd place, World Cup, Piancavello, Italy

1998
2nd place, World Cup, Blackcomb, British CVolumbia
3rd place, World Cup, Breckenridge, USA
10th place, XVIII Olympic Winter Games, Lizuna Kogen, Japan
2nd place, World Cup, Chatel, France
1st place, World Cup, Meiringen-Hasliberg, Switzerland
3rd place, World Cup, Altenmarkt-Zauchensee, Austria

1999
3rd place, World Cup, Mont Tremblant, Quebec
1st place, World Cup, Mont Tremblant, Quebec
2nd place, World Cup, Steamboat, USA
10th place, World Cup, Heavenly Valley, USA
4th place, World Cup, Altenmarkt-Zauchensee, Austria
2nd place, World Cup, Altenmarkt-Zauchensee, Austria
2nd place, FIS Qualification, World Freestyle Ski Championships, Meiringen-Hasliberg, Switzerland
7th place, World Freestyle Ski Championships, Meiringen-Hasliberg, Switzerland
6th place, World Cup, Mount Buller, Australia
3rd place, World Cup, Mount Buller, Australia
1st place, World Cup, Blackcomb, British Columbia

2000
8th place, World Cup, Deer Valley, USA
2nd place, World Cup, Heavenly Valley, USA
4th place, World Cup, Piancavello, Italy
1st place, World Cup, Livigno, Italy
10th place, World Cup, Mount Buller, Australia
8th place, World Cup, Mount Buller, Australia

2001
1st place, World Cup, Deer Valley, USA
1st place, World Cup, Mont Tremblant, Quebec
7th place, World Cup, Himos, Finland
2nd place, World Cup, Fortress Mountain, Alberta

2002
1st place, World Cup, Mont Tremblant, Quebec
5th place, World Cup, Lake Placid, USA
2nd place, World Cup, Whistler, British Columbia
3rd place, Europa Cup, Spindleruv Mlyn, Czech republic
6th place, World Cup, Mount Buller, Australia

 

Please Note: The ski information gathered here is compiled from a number of sources; it may not be inclusive of all accomplishments.
Copyright © 2021, Canadian Ski Museum. For Personal/Educational use only.

Nicolas Fontaine, Andy Capicik, David Bellehumeur – 1997 Freestyle World Cup in Piancavallo, Italy. Canadian Freestyle Ski Association.

Nicolas Fontaine. Canadian Freestyle Ski Association.

Nicolas Fontaine at 1997 Freestyle World Cup in Piancavallo, Italy.
Nicolas Fontaine at 1997 Freestyle World Cup in Piancavallo, Italy. Canadian Freestyle Ski Association.
Nicolas Fontaine at 1997 Freestyle World Cup in Piancavallo, Italy
Nicolas Fontaine at 1997 Freestyle World Cup in Piancavallo, Italy. Canadian Freestyle Ski Association.
Nicolas Fontaine at 1998 Olympic Winter Games in Nagano, Japan.
Nicolas Fontaine at 1998 Olympic Winter Games in Nagano, Japan. Canadian Olympic Association.
Nicolas Fontaine
Nicolas Fontaine. Canadian Freestyle Ski Association.
Nicolas Fontaine (left) silver medalist in Freestyle aerials demonstration event at 1992 Olympic Winter Games in Albertville, France. Philippe LaRoche (right) won the gold medal.
Nicolas Fontaine (left) silver medalist in Freestyle aerials demonstration event at 1992 Olympic Winter Games in Albertville, France. Philippe LaRoche (right) won the gold medal. Canadian Freestyle Ski Association.

National Freestyle Ski Team c. 1991 [L to R back]: Peter Judge, Richard Peirce, Lane Barrett, Todd Allison, Darcy Downs, Dominick Gauthier, Dave Walker, David Bellehumeur, ? [L to R middle]: Matt Christensen, Craig Young, ?, Nicolas Fontaine, André Ouimet, Jan Bucher, Philippe LaRoche, Jean-Luc Brassard, Christian Marcoux, ?, John Smart, Pat Henry, ? [L to R front]: Lee Lee Morrison, ?, Bronwen Thomas, ?, Julie Stegall, Ashley Herod, Tanya Clarke, ?, ?, Anna Kindy. Canadian Freestyle Ski Association.

National Freestyle Ski Team c. 1991 [L to R back]: ?, Lisa Hauser, ?, Nicolas Fontaine, Matt Christensen, Yves LaRoche (coach) [L to R middle]: ?, Kennedy Ryan, David Bellehumeur, Philippe LaRoche, Bernard Sevigny [L to R front]: Stephane Rochon, Brad Suey?. Canadian Freestyle Ski Association.

National Freestyle Ski Team c. 1991 [L to R back]: Steve Desovich, ?, John Smart, Stephane Rochon, Lane Barrett, Yves LaRoche (coach), Dominick Gauthier, Nicolas Fontaine, Anne-Marie Koszegi, Pierre Forget, Christian Marcoux [L to R middle]: Matt Christensen, Kennedy Ryan, Bronwen Thomas, Bernard Sevigny, David Bellehumeur, ?, Philippe LaRoche, Lloyd Langlois, Peter Judge [L to R front]: Lisa Hauser, Brad Suey, Josee Charbonneau, Ashley Herod, ?, Jan Bucher (coach). Canadian Freestyle Ski Association.

Inductee Nicolas Fontaine at 2007 Canadian Ski Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony.
Inductee Nicolas Fontaine at 2007 Canadian Ski Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony. Valberg Imaging / Andrea Cardin.

Inductee Nicolas Fontaine at 2007 Canadian Ski Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony. Valberg Imaging / Andrea Cardin.

Meredith Gardner, inductee Nicolas Fontaine, Jeff Bean at the 2007 Canadian Ski Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony. Valberg Imaging / Andrea Cardin.

Inductees Nicolas Fontaine, Bjorger Pettersen, Karolina Wisniewska, and Max Gartner at 2007 Canadian Ski Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony. Valberg Imaging – Andréa Cardin.

Max Gartner, Bjorger Pettersen, Nicolas Fontaine, Karolina Wisniewska, Edi Podivinsky – 2007 Canadian Ski Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony. Valberg Imaging / Andrea Cardin.

Jeff Bean presenting induction award to Nicolas Fontaine at 2007 Canadian Ski Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony. Valberg Imaging – Andréa Cardin.

Quadruple | Nicolas Fontaine

Nicolas Fontaine | Panthéon des Sports de Sherbrooke

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La mission de Nicolas Fontaine | Radio-Canada Sports

After having dominated his sport, the former freestyle ski jumping champion is working hard to train a succession ... starting with his own children. (in French)

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