Julien Cousineau

Nickname: Cousi
 
Best moment in ski racing: Finishing fifth at world champs (in 2011). My fifth place in Schladming, Austria (January 2010) was a pretty nice moment, too.

Worst moment in ski racing: I can’t really think of one.

What one thing would you change about ski racing? I wish the sport was more popular in Canada. We have such a great time in Europe but here in Canada, it’s not the same. I wish more people were into the sport and amateur sport in general. The Olympics in Vancouver was great but we were quickly forgotten.
 
Best World Cup stop: I really like Wengen (Switzerland). I just like the place. When you go there, everything’s the same way it used to be in the old days. In the morning you go up on the train . . . there’s a lot of history there – it’s a special place.

Person you look up to most in ski racing: It used to be (retired Italian skier) Alberto Tomba, for what he accomplished and how popular he was off the hill. He made skiing popular all over the world – we definitely need more people like him on the World Cup tour.

On your iPod: A lot of everything. I like some of the old classics from the ’70s but I also enjoy rap. I like all styles of music.
 
Favourite movie: The Godfather. It’s a classic. Al Pacino is also one of my favourite actors.
 
Favourite hockey team: That shouldn’t even be a question! The Canadiens, of course.

If you could have dinner with anyone, living or dead, who would it be? Somebody interesting. I think Tiger Woods – just to pick his brain. I think he’s one of the best athletes out there.

Something no one knows about you: I’m pretty open. Most people know everything about me.

Favourite activities other than skiing: I love golfing and fishing. If I have a chance to go deep-sea fishing I’ll do that; I have a cabin on a lake and fish there; I like to go and fish in the river. I like all kinds of fishing. It’s so relaxing.

Superstitions: I tend to wear the same things at each race, especially if things are going well. If things don’t go well I will open a brand new shirt for the next race – things like that.
 
If a movie was made about your life, who should play the lead role? A lot of people tell me I look like Jack Black, so it would have to be him!
 
What’s a talent you wish you had? I wish I was really good at playing the guitar, or the piano.

If you weren’t a skier what would you be? I would like to be a hockey player or a golfer – a golfer on the PGA Tour.
 
Funniest thing you’ve seen in ski racing: I can’t think of any one in particular.
 
Most embarrassing moment: At one race I hit the last gate and almost smoked the inflatable at the finish line. That was at a FIS race and all the World Cup guys were there. That was really embarrassing.
 
Describe yourself in three words: Hardworking. Determined. Tenacious.

Finishes in the top 10
5th – Slalom – Val d’Isere, FRA (Dec. 2010)
8th – Slalom – Levi, FIN (Nov. 2010)
6th – Slalom – Garmisch-Partenkirchen, GER (March 2010)
5th – Slalom – Schladming, AUT (Jan. 2010)
9th – Slalom – Wengen, SUI (Jan. 2009)
10th – Slalom – Wengen, SUI (Jan. 2004)
10th – Slalom – Wengen, SUI (Jan. 2003)

2010 Olympic Winter Games – Vancouver, B.C.
8th – Slalom

Canadian Championship podiums
3rd - Slalom - Whistler, B.C. (2013)
Canadian champion – Slalom – Nakiska, Alta. (2011)

FIS World Ski Championships
5th – Slalom – Garmisch-Partenkirchen, GER (Feb. 2011)