The Canadian Freestyle Ski Association announced the addition of new school luminary JF Cusson to its coaching staff for the newly named National Slopestyle Ski Team.

JF Cusson

As a technical coach for one of the hottest new Olympic disciplines, Cusson brings myriad competitive experience. He is a veteran of the National Mogul Team, where he earned a podium spot in 1997. He then went on to become one of the founders of the freeskiing movement in the 1990s; he was part of the original Salomon Teneighty Team with Mike Douglas; and, dominated many pro events during his competitive years. Notably, he won the first X Games Big Air event in 1999.

Cusson with JP Auclair, Mike Douglas and Philou Poirier.

Most recently a golf pro in Quebec, Cusson has a talent for teaching and enjoys admiration and respect from his peers and up-and-coming athletes alike.

Cusson joins National Slopestyle Team Head Coach Toben Southerland and Halfpipe Team coaches Trennon Paynter and Marc Macdonell as the CFSA’s ‘new school’ coaching staff.

Photo by Felix Rioux

“We knew we had the athletic talent in Canada in slopestyle and halfpipe to be a real medal contender at the next Olympic Games, but we also knew that in order to harness and develop this talent we had to lay a foundation with the best possible coaching staff. The addition of JF rounds out our program and puts us on the path to success in Sochi,” said CFSA High Performance Program Director David Mirota.