Born: 1980 (Petite-Rivière-Saint-François)
Biography:
Dominique Maltais, born on November 9, 1980, is a Canadian snowboarder who has made a significant impact in the world of snowboard cross. With an illustrious career, she is a two-time Olympic medalist, having won a bronze medal at the 2006 Torino Games and a silver medal at the 2014 Sochi Games. Her journey to becoming one of the most successful snowboarders in history has been filled with determination, resilience, and a passion for the sport.
Hailing from Petite-Rivière-Saint-François, Maltais began her competitive snowboarding career in 2002. She quickly made her mark, winning the Canadian Championship in 2003 and successfully defending her title in 2004. Her international breakthrough came in her rookie year (2003-2004) when she finished fifth in the World Cup and secured two podium finishes.
Building on her early success, Maltais continued to excel in her second year (2004-2005). She clinched the European Cup title and finished eighth in the World Cup. Notably, she won her first gold medal during the World Cup, signaling her potential as a force to be reckoned with in the sport. With her eyes set on the 2006 Winter Olympics in Turin, where snowboard cross would make its debut, Maltais aimed to secure an Olympic medal.
During the Turin Games, Maltais found herself in the final race alongside her compatriot, Maëlle Ricker. Unfortunately, Ricker fell early on, and Maltais encountered a crash in a subsequent corner. Undeterred, she showed resilience and determination by getting back up and finishing the race, ultimately earning herself a well-deserved bronze medal. Although the 2010 Vancouver Olympics proved disappointing for Maltais, as she didn’t qualify for the finals after falling in her qualifying runs, she didn’t let this setback define her career.
The following season, Maltais began her campaign in the 2010-2011 FIS Snowboard World Cup with great success. She led the overall World Cup snowboard cross category heading into the 2011 World Snowboarding Championships, where she secured a bronze medal, further solidifying her reputation as a top competitor in the sport. Maltais finished the World Cup season as the overall and Crystal Globe champion in her category, marking her second overall title since the 2005-2006 season.
In 2012, Maltais achieved a major milestone by winning her first Winter X Games gold medal, solidifying her standing as an elite snowboarder. Her success continued throughout the season, with victories on the World Cup tour and a home nation triumph at Blue Mountain. These achievements ultimately led to her second consecutive Crystal Globe championship as the overall winner on the FIS tour.
Maltais’ success carried over into the following season as she remained a dominant force in snowboard cross. She continued to pursue her passion for the sport and push boundaries, leaving an indelible impact on the snowboarding world. Her dedication and skill propelled her to win the Crystal Globe as the overall FIS World Cup champion in snowboard cross an impressive five times, in 2006, 2011, 2012, 2013, and 2014.
Throughout her career, Maltais has been an inspiration to aspiring snowboarders, particularly women, around the world. Her achievements have not only solidified her place in snowboarding history but also served as a testament to the power of perseverance, resilience, and relentless pursuit of one’s dreams.
Awards:
– Olympic Bronze Medalist (2006)
– Olympic Silver Medalist (2014)
– FIS Snowboarding World Championships Bronze Medalist (2011)
– FIS Snowboarding World Championships Silver Medalist (2013)
– Winter X Games Gold Medalist (2012)
– Crystal Globe Winner, FIS World Cup Champion in Snowboard Cross (2006, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014)