Yves LaRoche

With an outstanding record as a competitor and coach, Yves LaRoche won international recognition as a leading authority on Freestyle Aerials. He was a “charter” member of the legendary “Quebec Air Force”, a two-time Men’s World Grand Prix Aerial Champion in 1984 and 1986, and three-time Canadian Men’s National Aerial Champion in 1981, 1982 and 1983. His results on the Freestyle World Cup circuit were equally impressive. Between 1980 (when he first joined the National Freestyle team) and his retirement in 1986 he placed in the top ten in 37 of 46 events.

Following retirement, he was appointed Aerial Coach to the National Freestyle Ski Team a position he held for two years, 1987 to 1989. In this relatively short period of time, however, his coaching successes were astonishing. As examples, Jean Marc Rozon won a Gold Medal in Aerials (as a Demonstration event) at the 1988 Olympic Winter Games in Calgary, Alberta. Rozon also took 1st place at the World Cup Grand Prix events in both 1987 and 1988. Similarly, Lloyd Langlois won a Bronze Medal in Aerials (as a Demonstration event) at the 1988 Olympic
Winter Games, and won Gold Medals at the World Aerial Championships in 1986 and 1989.

Prior to his appointment as a National Coach, Yves LaRoche served as an Aerials Coach for Ski-Bec Acrobatique at Lac Beauport, Quebec, and the Quebec Ski Team from 1982 until 1986. From 1987 to 1989, he was Coaching Representative to the Canadian Ski Association, National Freestyle Team Board and the National Freestyle Team Selection Committee.

In his selfless desire to pass on his skills and knowledge to a younger generation, he developed and built a water ramp training facility in Lac Beauport, Quebec, in 1985, a year before he retired from competition, which became recognized for its excellence by budding aerialists from Canada and other countries.

Competitive results (top ten places)
World Cup events, Aerials competition
1981
9th place, Livigno, Italy
10th place, Tignes, France
7th place, Laax, Switzerland
5th place, Seefeld, Austria
7th place, Oberjoch, Germany
3rd place, Mont Ste-Anne, Quebec

1982
4th place, Angelfire
3rd place, Mont Ste- Anne, Quebec
6th place, Sella Nevea, Italy
3rd place, Livigno, Italy
7th place, Oberjoch, Germany
4th place, Tignes, France

1983
3rd place, Tignes, France
5th place, Tignes, France
3rd place, Livigno, Italy
9th place, Ravascletto, Italy

1984
1st place, Stoneham, Quebec
1st place, Breckenridge, USA
6th place, Gostling, Austria
2nd place, Oberjoch, Germany
1st place, Campitello Matese, Italy
2nd place, Salen, Sweden
1st place, Tignes, France
1st place, Tignes, France

1985
7th place, Mont Gabriel, Quebec
1st place, Lake Placid, USA
2nd place, Lake Placid, USA
5th place, Breckenridge, USA
4th place, La Sauze, France
2nd place, Tignes, France
1st place, Mont Gabriel, Quebec
2nd place, Lake Placid, USA
2nd place, Lake Placid, USA
2nd place, Tignes, France

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

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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