Hall of Famer
Nicolas Fontaine
Nicolas ‘Nico’ Fontaine became the world’s most accomplished aerialist of his time.
The four-time World Cup freestyle aerials champion (1997 to 2000) skier was dominant during that stretch.
The skilled and ambitious skier also became the first-ever to complete two quadruple somersaults in a competition, at the 2000 Canadian freestyle championships at Mont Gabriel, Quebec.
As a member of Canada’s freestyle team from 1991 to 2003, Fontaine represented Canada at four Olympic Winter Games, in 1992 in Albertville, France (demonstration sport), in 1994 in Lillehammer, Norway, in Nagano, Japan and in 2002 at Salt Lake, USA. He placed in the top 10 on three occasions.
Also an articulate speaker and inspirational leader, Nicolas represented his country, his sport, teammates and sponsors with grace throughout his career and his exemplary conduct and leadership was recognized with the awarding of the John Semmelink Memorial Award three times. This award is presented annually to the athlete who, through sportsmanship, conduct and ability, best represents Canada in international competition.
After retirement, Nicolas remained involved in the sport in various ways, from coaching and development, to funding and construction of one of the world’s best water training facilities in Le Relais, Quebec. He was the co-developer and head coach of “Jump 2010”, a national aerials training and development program for the Olympic Games in Vancouver-Whistler. 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 a total of 84 times. He competed at the world championships seven times, finishing in the top 10 five times. He was also a national champion five times between 1990 and 2000.
Nicolas Fontaine was a highly-successful competitor, who continues to “give back” to the sport of freestyle skiing with his charismatic and influential style.
CAREER HIGHLIGHTS
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1991: 4th place, World Cup, Blackcomb, BC; 2nd place, World Cup, Breckenridge, Colorado.
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1992: 4th place, World Cup, Blackcomb, B.C.; 3rd place, World Cup, Oberjoch, Germany; 1st and 2nd place, Demonstration qualification for the 1992 Olympic Games, Albertville, France; 2nd place, World Cup, Morzine, France; 2nd place, World Cup, Madarao, Japan.
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1993: 4th place, World Cup, La Relais, Quebec; 4th place, World Cup, Lillehammer, Norway; 5th place, World Cup, Tignes, France; 1st place, World Cup, Pianvcavello, Italy.
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1994: 1st place, World Cup, Blackcomb, B.C.; 4th place, World Cup, La Clusaz, France; 2nd place, World Cup, Hundfjaellet, Sweden
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1995: 3rd place, World Cup, Blackcomb, B.C.; 3rd place, World Cup, Altenmarkt-Zauchensee, Austria; 2nd place, FIS Qualification, La Clusaz, France; 4th place, World Freestyle Championships La Clusaz, France
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1996: 5th place, World Cup, Lake Placid, USA; 3rd place, World Cup, Breckenridge, USA; 3rd place, World Cup, Mont Tremblant, Quebec; 3rd place, World Cup, Oberjoch, Germany; 3rd place, World Cup, La Plagne, France; 3rd place, World Cup, La Plagne, France.
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1997: 1st place, World Cup, Blackcomb, B.C.; 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; 1st place, World Cup, Altenmarkt- Zauchensee, Austria; 1st place, World Cup, Mount Buller, Australia; 2nd place, World Cup, Piancavello, Italy
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1998: 2nd place, World Cup, Blackcomb, B.C.; 3rd place, World Cup, Breckenridge, Colorado; 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.
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1999: 3rd place, World Cup, Mont Tremblant, Quebec; 1st place, World Cup, Mont Tremblant, Quebec; 2nd place, World Cup, Steamboat, Colorado; 4th place, World Cup, Altenmarkt-Zauchensee, Austria; 2nd place, World Cup, Altenmarkt- Zauchensee, Austria; 3rd place, World Cup, Mount Buller, Australia; 1st place, World Cup, Blackcomb, B.C.
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2000: 2nd place, World Cup, Heavenly Valley, USA; 1st place, World Cup, Livigno, Italy.
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2001: 1st place, World Cup, Deer Valley, Utah; 1st place, World Cup, Mont Tremblant, Quebec; 2nd place, World Cup, Fortress Mountain, Alberta
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2002: 1st place, World Cup, Mont Tremblant, Quebec; 2nd place, World Cup, Whistler, B.C.; 3rd place, Europa Cup, Spindleruv Mlyn, Czech Republic.
Note: The information gathered in this biography was compiled from a number of sources; it may not be inclusive of all accomplishments. Copyright © Canadian Ski Hall of Fame & Museum. For personal and/or educational use only. All rights reserved.
Nicolas Fontaine, Andy Capicik, David Bellehumeur – 1997 Freestyle World Cup in Piancavallo, Italy. Canadian Freestyle Ski Association.
Nicolas Fontaine. 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. 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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