Yves LaRoche

With an outstanding record as both a competitor and coach, Yves LaRoche earned international recognition as a leading authority in freestyle aerials.

He was a charter member of the legendary Quebec Air Force, a two-time men’s World Grand Prix aerial champion (1984 and 1986), and a three-time Canadian men’s national aerial champion (1981, 1982 and 1983). His performance on the Freestyle World Cup circuit was equally impressive. Between 1980—when he first joined the national freestyle team—and his retirement in 1986, LaRoche placed in the top 10 in 37 of 46 events.

Following his retirement, he was appointed aerial coach of the national freestyle ski team, a position he held from 1987 to 1989. In this relatively short time, his coaching results were exceptional.

Jean-Marc Rozon won gold in aerials (then a demonstration event) at the 1988 Olympic Winter Games in Calgary and placed first in World Cup Grand Prix events in both 1987 and 1988. Lloyd Langlois won bronze in aerials at the 1988 Olympic Winter Games, and gold at the World Aerial Championships in 1986 and 1989.

Before coaching at the national level, LaRoche served as an aerials coach with Ski-Bec Acrobatique at Lac Beauport, Que., and the Quebec ski team from 1982 to 1986. From 1987 to 1989, he also served as coaching representative to the Canadian Ski Association’s national freestyle team board and selection committee.

In his selfless desire to pass on his knowledge to the next generation, LaRoche developed and built a water ramp training facility in Lac Beauport in 1985—a year before his retirement—which went on to earn recognition for excellence among aspiring aerialists in Canada and abroad.

Yves LaRoche’s legacy as an athlete, coach and builder helped elevate Canadian freestyle skiing to international prominence.

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

• 1981 – 5th place, Seefeld, Austria; 3rd place, Mont-Sainte-Anne, Que.

• 1982 – 4th place, Angel Fire, U.S.; 3rd place, Mont-Sainte-Anne, Que.; 3rd place, Livigno, Italy

• 1983 – 3rd place, Tignes, France; 5th place, Tignes, France; 3rd place, Livigno, Italy

• 1984 – 1st place, Stoneham, Que.; 1st place, Breckenridge, U.S.; 2nd place, Oberjoch, Germany; 1st place, Campitello Matese, Italy; 2nd place, Sälen, Sweden; 1st place, Tignes, France; 1st place, Tignes, France

• 1985 – 1st place, Lake Placid, U.S.; 2nd place, Lake Placid, U.S.; 5th place, Breckenridge, U.S.; 4th place, La Sauze, France; 2nd place, Tignes, France; 1st place, Mont-Gabriel, Que.; 2nd place, Lake Placid, U.S.; 2nd place, Lake Placid, U.S.; 2nd place, Tignes, France

• 1986 – 1st place, Mariazell, Austria; 1st place, Mariazell, Austria; 2nd place, Oberjoch, Germany; 1st place, Voss, Norway

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.