Calgary, Alberta

After 2 weeks in Quebec, my next destination is Calgary, Alberta. That's where I will spend the next 3 weeks to ride and compete in 3 different events which, the first ever World cup (FIS) in slopestyle who will be at Canadian Olympic Park (COP). The practice and qualifications are from january 26 to the 30th. A busy week, everything went well, my riding was ok, but in the semi-finals, I guess I was a little stressed and I didn't land all of my jumps and missed the finales from one position. I am still very happy of my result, I got 7th for my first world cup! Not too bad! 


My second week in Calgary was for the Burton Canadian Open (TTR), an events with riders from everywhere around the globe. The set up was perfect, I would say the best set up I've rode in my life from now... Once again, the week was exceptional but in the semis, I was stressed again and didn't qualified for the finales. I was really satisfied of my week either way. 

I now have a couple days off before my last contest in Alberta. The Billabong Flaunt It at Norqway. An other sunny day which I spent most of the day with my friend Jenna Mae. I havent seen this girl in forever ans was really stoked to get to spend the day with her. The day ended up super well with first place in slopestyle, 3rd for the rail jam, way too much luggage, a big check and a gold Nixon watch. Wouhouu, It's now time to all go out for sushi on me. And then going back to Whistler after 5 weeks out. 

Rugged Rider girls camp and Kinky rail jam at Stoneham

 Friday january 22, snow, sun and perfect atmosphere to go ride with the girls. Rugged Rider organized a snowboard camp for girls and I will be one of the coach. The girls learned some new rail tricks, learned how to jump, they were really motivated and wanted to learn and have fun. I really liked my experience and the girls loved there day of riding.

 

On Saturday, The Kinky rail jam was on at Stoneham. A lot of girls came up for the event and we had an amazing day, the girls were throwing down, the rail set up was fun, just good memories from that day. I ended up getting 4th place and best tricks with a 270 in 270 out.

Fundraiser dinner " Jusqu'au bout des reves"

This snowboarder life is awesome, I couldn't say the the opposite, but sometimes, what people don't see is that it is actually a job... Yes riding everyday, traveling, doing contest, filming... all of that is cool but it doesn't come easy like that, we have to work hard and be 110% on it. We also don't have much time to work if we want to try to give everything we have and everyone knows that snowboarding in Canada isn't the sport that gets paid the most so sometimes it's hard to  come around the end of the month with all the money we need.  My parents saw the situation and than, decided to organized  a fundraiser dinner to help me

A spaghetti diner was organized on January 16th 2010 by my parents, It brought about 250 persons which was way better that everyone's expectations. With the dinner and the companies that sponsors the event...  we raised 6231$ which was to help me pay the cost of my events, the flights, and other cost with the contests and traveling.  I want to say a big thanks to my parents for organizing this awesome event and also to everyone that came and sponsored the events... It went super well, and it was a really big help from you guys. It helped me a lot and I probably would'nt of done everything that I did if it wasent from you guys.

Thanks

Rome Premature Jibulation!

First rail jam of the season. I won first place and had fun with friends all day

First session at seymour 2009-2010

November 8th 2009, there's enough snow at Seymour to go ride a bit!!
We set up a corrugated pipe and build a small pow jump and had fun all day with that!

First picture in SBC women's annual magazine

In the summer of 2009, while I was riding COC Ashley Barker was there shooting pictures of people on the hip down at the bottom. She took a picture of me in action and than, got in contact with me to get my permission to use the photo in the SBC women's annual 2010.  I had an article "So Hot" and my picture in the magazine!

Rider of the month!

After a really good overall season, I received an email from Roberta Rodgers, the editor of sbcwomen.com, she wanted to have an interview of me on the website. I was then named rider of the month of July 2009

http://www.sbcwomen.com/riders_article?news_id=210

July Rider of the Month:Marie-Andree Racine Gagnon

Jul 1, 2009

Author: Sara Tollestrup

Marie-Andree  Racine Gagnon grew up in Hebertville, Lac St. Jean, Quebec but once she was done high school she immediately made the move to Squamish in the summer of 2006 and has been hear ever since pursuing her snowboarding goals.  After participating in MGT’s camp at Grouse Mountain Marie-Andree was selected for their Snowboard Academy and placed them under the tutorial wing of the MGT pro coaches to give a head start on pursuing a snowboard career in 2010. The guidance has done her good as she has done well at rail jams and slopestyle events including her first pro contest the Roxy’s Chickadee Jam where she placed 2nd in the Slopestyle Jam and Best Trick stomping a smooth 720. With new sponsor Roxy smooth style on rails and jumps including dope nose grabs this girl is on her way! - Roberta Rodger

What are your plans for the month? 
I Just ended my job at the end of june so for July I’m gonna try to ride Blackcomb Glacier for the first 2 weeks and then me and my friends are going to the Okanagan Valley, Picking cherry and enjoy the sun and the warm weather for the rest of the summer!  Should be good!

What is something you have learned this month?
That Surfing is a really hard sport! Me and my friend went for a week-end of Surfing in Tofino. It was amazing, But I forgot how hard it is! I don't think there is any part of my body that isn’t sore right now! Lol!  I love it tho! So fun!

Where is the craziest place snowboarding has taken you?
Hmmm,  I haven't really gotten to travel that much! I would say that the craziest place snowboarding has taken me  is Whistler!  As soon as I was done High school I moved out here and it was the best thing I could have done! I get to snowboard so much more and in way better conditions too! It's Awesome!

Who is your favorite person to travel with?
Marie-Danielle aka Dead! We always have the best times when were traveling together!    HaHa! Love you!

How do you entertain yourself on long flights?
Listen to some music, Read, Try to sleep but it never works out!

What is one item you will not go snowboarding without?
My Ipod!

What is your favorite apres shred meal?
Hmmm! Ham & cheese roll at Creekside Market!

Aside from snowboarding how do you stay strong and healthy?
Go to the gym couple times a week, run, bike and try to eat healthy!

What is something the average person doesn't know about pro snowboarding?
I actually don't really know! All this is new for me!

What is one thing people should know about you? 
I love hats! I can't get out of my house without something on my head!

What is your all time favorite movie?
The Lion King

Which female snowboarder has influenced you the most?
Tara Dakides, She's such a sick rider and been around for so long and still killing it! Marie-France Roy inspires me a lot too, she's  so smooth and got a good style!

Who is currently raising the bar in women's snowboarding?
I think Raewyn Reid is, She does a lot of different tricks and got a sick style! Biggest hand rail too!!  Props !!

If you could give one piece of advice to women, snowboarders or not, what would it be?
Never give up, If you really believe in what you want, you’re gonna get it! Stay yourself!  And never forget the first reason why your Snowboarding, for having fun! If you don't have fun doing it anymore, there is a problem! Enjoy every moment, One Life!

Thanks?
I want to thank my Family & Friends, they have always supported me! Ben & J-F from my home mountain! And I would like to Thank Robin for helping me get where I am!I also want to thank  my sponsor , Roxy!

Camp of Champion

Camp of champion, with the help of Roxy, I got the chance to ride the camp for the whole month of July. It was a really good opportunity to go ride the crazyest set ups ever, meet tons of cool people, ride everyday at + 20, getting our google tans on. It was just awesome.Thanks for letting me this chance!

Snowboard contest of 2008

2008 was a bussy season for me for contest, I tried to do all the little contest in Vancouver and Whistler. Including the Kinky rail jam who was one of the first contest of the season,  I broke my whrist on one of the features but that didn't stop me from competing in some more contest that season. Like the  You look good cup where I got 2nd in the ams,  Billabong Flaunt It in Seymour in 4th , I also made the finals at Tremblant. And to end my contest season, I participated in the Coors light rail jam at the Ride Shakedown and got 3rd for the qualifications.

It was a pretty good first years of competition, I loved it and gonna keep on going.

New recruit for the Roxy team.

March 2008, after winning 2nd place at the Roxy Chikadee Jam, I received an email from Sarah Cameron, team manager for Roxy. After seeing meat the contest the past week, they ask me if I wanted to be part of there Ams team. Without hesitation, I accepted right away, Roxy supported and help me in all my adventures and projects since then!
Thanks to everyone at Roxy for being so good to me!

http://www.roxy.com/shop/index.jsp?categoryId=3446216

Roxy Chikadee Jam!

My first pro contest... After having so many good comments about my riding from the Mgt camp coachs, I decided to start entering contest around Vancouver and Whistler. The Roxy Chikadee Jam was my first big contest and was also a really good day for me. The day went just as I planned and even better then I thought. For the first time in a contest, I landed my frontside 720. I was so stoked, I couldn't believe what was going on... I would of never thought that I was gonna land that trick in a contest.
I ended up getting 2nd place  & best tricks with my 720!
That night, I came back home 1000$ richer and with a lot more self esteem.

http://www.sbcwomen.com/blogs/post/17/Roxy-Chickadee-Jam-at-Grouse-Mountain

MGT Academy

MGT Academy Snowboard Camp is a girl camp that hits all canada, some place in the states and Argentina. Every year while the camps are on, the coachs has to choose a couple girls that draw the attention. During the camp at Grouse mountain, Vancouver in January 2009, I was one of the girls that the coachs chose to be a nominee of the year. Following this, I had to prove them I was the one...
I did pretty good and at the end of June 2009, I received a call from MGT Director Joanna and she told me I won. And that's where it all started.

http://snowboarding.transworld.net/1000092731/featuresobf/mgt-final-exam-its-an-oral/

http://etnies.com/blog/2010/1/13/mgt-academy-winner/