Canadian Alpine Ski Team: Jean-Philippe Roy

Jean-Philippe Roy burst onto the ski circuit in 1999 when he debuted with two top-30 finishes followed by an eighth-place finish at the World Championships.

Skiing comes naturally for the 28 year old, who hit the slopes at the age of four. “It was a family thing for us,” says JP. “All weekend we would go skiing. My parents loved skiing and my dad was my coach until I was 15. My mom coached kids as well. It was always something we did in the family.”

Ten days before the 2000 Canadian Championships — where JP won his first national title in the Giant Slalom and Combined disciplines — his father Denis Roy passed away from stomach cancer.

"His death made me realize that life is precious and we need to make the most out of every single day,” says JP. I keep a picture of him in my helmet to help me remember this important lesson."

The 2000-01 racing season was JP's breakout year. He scored his first World Cup points by finishing 27th in Sölden, Austria and eighth in the Combines at the World Championships in St. Anton, Austria. He also ranked first overall in Giant Slalom on the Nor-Am circuit, the highest level of alpine racing competition in North America. He has since finished in the top 20 in numerous events, including an eighth-place finish in the Combines at the 2002 Olympics in Salt Lake City, Utah.

A broken thumb and wrist prevented JP from competing for most of the 2002-2003 season. After a frustrating year away from skiing, he finished in the top 20 in two World Cup races in the 2003-04 season. He also reclaimed his title as Canadian Champion in Giant Slalom for the sixth time.

His appearance in the Giant Slalom in Beaver Creek, Colorado, was his first race since injuring his left knee at the 2005 World Championships.

For JP, perseverance is the key to his success on the slopes. The latest example of his tenacity is a seventh-place finish in the 2007 World Alpine Canada Ski Championships in Sweden.