DESTINATIONS:

ACA's Gagnon marks her territory at Quebec's Mont-Orignal

Jan. 28, 2011 — Alpine Canada  

Marie-Michèle Gagnon from Lac-Etchemin, Que., who has been part of the Canadian Alpine Ski Team since 2007, has been honoured with a slope to her name at her Quebec ski club Mont-Orignal. The ski track will now be known as the "Pitch à Mitch."

The inauguration party was Jan. 22, when Gagnon had the honour to cut the red ribbon in front of friends and family.

"It was an awesome day," said Gagnon. "It was really cold but my whole family came and dressed up in my old ski suits for the party. It definitely was a fun day that I will remember for a very long time. There was a camera crew there to take some footage, and the scenario was that I was a famous person with fans cheering me on. Everyone had a blast.

"It's pretty crazy to have a ski slope named after you. I am very thankful for Mont-Orignal and all the coaches I had along the way that helped me be the skier that I am right now. Without all the support from my family, friends and coaches, I would not be here today."

Gagnon was sniffing the podium earlier this year as she had her career-best result with a fifth place in a St. Moritz, Switzerland, giant slalom. She also had two other top 10's in World Cup races in 2009, with an eighth place in an Ofterschwang, Germany, slalom and a ninth place in a giant slalom in Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy.

At the 2010 Olympic Winter Games in Whistler, B.C., the first Olympic competition in her career, she finished 21st in the giant slalom.

The ACA female athlete of the year in 2009, Gagnon won the women's overall and super-combined  Nor-Am Cup titles that season. The reigning slalom and super-combined national women's champion, Gagnon has also earned three GMC Canadian Championships titles in her career.

Gagnon is with the national team in Sestriere, Italy, training for Sunday's World Cup super-combined event. S-Magazine