We all remember his 1994 Olympic performance in Lillehammer where he won the gold in freestyle mogul skiing. And at the tender age of 21, he became the most recognized Canadian athlete of the Olympic Games. It is with his usual charm and happy disposition that Mr Jean-Luc Brassard answered our questions about his chosen sport, his career and more significantly, Jennifer Heil’s success.

When Jennifer was still a young teenager, Brad Pitt posters plastered her friends’ bedroom walls, but the budding athlete was in awe of her idol at the time, Jean-Luc Brassard. In fact, Jennifer Heil isn’t shy about the role he played in her professional path. She looked up to him; he was her idol, an inspiration. Nowadays, he smiles at this notion and is flattered to know that he inspired so many young skiers all over the country. This is part one of our interview with Jean-Luc Brassard, which was conducted in November 2009 by Marie-Pierre Quevillon, one of our Cheer for Jenn journalists.

Interview available in French only.

To make sure we could provide you with the latest info and exclusive content, we created a dynamic duo: Jean-Sébastien and Marie-Pierre. Since it's nice to be able to put a face on the text, we asked them to introduce themselves in a few words.

JEAN-SÉBASTIEN BLONDEL From Paris to Montreal to the United States, here I am being a part of this great journey, ready to cover a season full of promises for Jenn. An ideal situation to live my passion for sports, and to become as accurate a link as possible between a great and beautiful champion and a generation about to cheer for her!

 

MARIE-PIERRE QUEVILLON Hi, my name is Marie-Pierre. I’m a 26 year old freelance reporter and I will be your eyes and ears as Jennifer Heil takes on her next season of competition! To give you an idea of who I am, allow me to summarize in just one word: PASSIONATE!

I am passionate about photography, extreme sports and travelling.  I guess I could describe myself as passionate about life and I intend to make the most of it. I’m told that I am quite sociable, energetic and have a highly inquisitive nature. I will devote 200% of myself to this project with the objective of letting you discover Jennifer Heil and follow her exploits throughout the competitive season.

 
Read their latest texts on Cheer for Jenn's Twitter and Facebook Fan Page.

When we first talked to Jenn's mom about the Cheer for Jenn project, she was particularly excited and immediately helped us out. She also sent us a couple of pics we wanted to share with you. Could Jenn be any cuter? Find more photos on our Facebook page.

Most people morn the end of summer.  The days shorten, a bright crisp breeze replaces the heavy blanket of humidity that has enveloped us for months and the leaves turn brilliant colors before they fall to the ground.  Don’t get me wrong, I love summer as much as everyone else does especially since I spend 8 months of the year chasing snow.

But my senses are conditioned to the change in season like Pavlov’s dog is to the bell.  When the temperature drops my heart rate increases in anticipation of the coming competition season. 

And what a season it is coming our way.  On February 13, 2010 I will stand at the top of Cypress Mountain at the 2010 Vancouver Winter Games before pushing off and racing down the mogul run.  While the season does not officially start until December, I feel right now like I am moving into the blocks just before the starter says “take your mark”.

We will compete in six competitions before the Games and I find myself giddy at the thought that the Games are quickly approaching.

I’ve spent most of my lifetime being either enthralled by the Olympic Dream as I watch other athletes realize theirs or preoccupied with chasing my own Olympic dreams. 

The 2010 Games will be my third Olympic Games as a competitor but still, the Games have not lost their luster.

I was just 18 years old when I competed for Canada at the 2002 Salt Lake City Olympics.  I was a teenager - wide-eyed and inexperienced. I finished fourth by 1/100th of a point - the smallest margin possible to separate two skiers.

In hindsight, fourth place was the best place to finish as I channeled many of those emotions to fuel my quest to be 100% prepared with no regrets in Torino in 2006. In Torino, standing at the top of the mountain before my final run I was 100% prepared to deliver my best when it mattered the most. It was an intensely satisfying moment and I felt an overwhelming amount of pride as I stood on the podium listening to the Canadian Anthem play for my performance and for all Canadians. Winning the gold medal in Torino allowed me to expand my dreams off of the ski hill.  It allowed me to be passionate about social issues like the rights of girls around the World. I am engaged in two major projects that I am passionate about; the campaign Because I am a Girl and B2ten. Taking the time to go to school and focus on reconditioning in 2008 allowed me the time to see beyond my sport.

The reason I continue with my sport is because it offers me the ultimate challenge.  I want to keep getting better. I feel privileged to represent Canada. It is as though I have won the lottery having this opportunity to compete in the Olympics at home.  February 2010 will be Canada’s time not just for the athletes but for every Canadian from coast to coast. Together we as Canadians will be able to leave behind a legacy in sport, fitness, health and hopefully enough inspiration for the next generation of dreamers. 

On November 29th, we held a private viewing of the Cheer for Jenn microsite for Jenn, Dominick and a couple of their friends. Here's what she had to say about the project. Click here to see Jenn's reaction. We also asked her about her busy schedule and how she stays grounded.