John Johnston

John Johnston was the Founder and first Chairman of the Canadian Freestyle Skiers Association in 1974.

As the driving force behind the establishment of the Canadian Freestyle movement, his appointment as Chairman of the Federation Internationale de Ski (FIS) Freestyle Committee might have been expected.

He also founded the Canadian National Freestyle Ski Team and, from 1976 until 1982 was the Executive-Director, Freestyle, of the Canadian Skiing Association and while in this position founded and developed the Canadian Coaches Certification Program.

For several years from 1989 onwards, he was President of the Organizing Committee for the World Cup Freestyle competitions. Without his vision and contribution, the freestyle movement in Canada might well have remained an idea with no substance.

« In 1974 John Johnston took first place and a few hundred dollars for executing a perfect back layout in a competition on Whistler Mountain’s Ridge Run. One of the best aerialists in the world in the mid-70s, the victory was the highlight of Johnston’s career as a freestyle competitor.

Johnston, chairman of the organizing committee for the FIS Freestyle World Ski Championships, has had a first hand view of freestyle’s evolution. In fact, if there is one single person most responsible for getting freestyle into the Olympics, it’s probably the Vancouver stockbroker. He admitted two years ago freestyle had to re-invent itself and get back to being fun, but he also understands the problems that nearly killed the sport more than 20 years ago. » Source Pique Magazine.

Please Note: The ski information gathered here is compiled from a number of sources; it may not be inclusive of all accomplishments.
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