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ALEXIS GUIMOND
Sport: Para Alpine Skiing
Event Category: Men’s Standing
Classification: LW9-1
Age: 26
Hometown: Gatineau
Residence: Gatineau
Local Club: Mont-Tremblant
Disability: Full paralysis on right side (fall as baby), partial paralysis on left side (stroke as preteen)
Third Paralympics
Instagram: @alexis_guimond
By Martin Cleary
After a decade of manoeuvring down some of the world’s best mountains with speed and courage as a member of the Canadian Paralympic alpine ski team, Alexis Guimond has finally reached the top of the mountain.
And the timing couldn’t be more perfect for the Gatineau athlete as the Milano Cortina 2026 Paralympic Winter Games are fast approaching.
Guimond’s best-ever World Cup season in the men’s standing alpine category has made him a serious candidate for winning a medal or medals in his third consecutive Winter Paralympics. In his first two Paralympics, he won bronze medals in super-G at Beijing 2022 and in giant slalom at PyeongChang 2018.
Guimond, who is unable to hold a ski pole in his right hand because of paralysis as a result of an accidental fall when he was a baby, heads to the start hut with full confidence for his upcoming downhill, super-G and giant slalom races.
On the World Cup circuit this season, the 26-year-old posted victories in three super-G races as well as a third-place result. Those four results allowed him to win his first Crystal Globe trophy as the World Cup men’s standing super-G champion.
Guimond’s stellar season also has included his first-ever downhill victory, which was a key part of an 11-medal World Cup campaign. He finished second in the race for the downhill Crystal Globe trophy.
“It was amazing. I finally got my hands on it,” Guimond said in a recent phone interview about winning the coveted World Cup Crystal Globe trophy for the super-G discipline.
“I have always fallen short. In the past, I have been second or third. I’m proud of what I have done. I’m really excited for the opportunity to showcase what I’ve done.”
It has taken several years for Guimond to develop all his skills, physical and mental, to become a contending downhill racer.
“It was a fierce battle,” he added about the race for the Crystal Globe in the downhill discipline. “I felt good in the downhill this season, consistently strong. I’ve hit my stride in the speed events.
“I have always been competitive from the beginning of my career. But I’ve never got what it takes to get over to the top of the podium.”
Guimond secured his first and almost a second Crystal Globe for a variety of reasons as he continues to emerge and improve as a speed skier in super-G and downhill.
He also has discovered how to make the best use of his downtime away from the ski hills, which has helped him become a better skier on the snow.
“It’s maturity, experience and more weight,” Guimond explained about his dynamic race performances. “I’m much more competitive. Being in contention in the downhill feels great.
“I’ve had a solid season and some good results. I’m really confident and a lot of pieces have fallen into place.”
One of those pieces is how he uses his time away from the training and competing.
“There’s nothing in particular, but I’m able to really relish my downtime,” an upbeat Guimond added. “Earlier, I struggled with downtime. When I was on the road and not skiing, I spent a lot of time thinking about outcomes and possibilities. It was overwhelming.”
When Guimond is away from the slopes and his equipment is drying, he loves to connect with his teammates and friends for a session of video games every day or every other day. He also has an interest in science fiction and fantasy shows.
“I enjoy my time away from skiing to be able to recover,” Guimond added. “It gets my mind space away from skiing. It helps me get distracted.”
He likes to play the popular Fortnite video game as well as others. His distraction plan also includes watching A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms.
Guimond was only 18 years old at his first Paralympics in PyeongChang, but he fit right in with a bronze medal in the giant slalom and a pair of fourth-place results in the super-G and downhill. At the Beijing 2022 Paralympics, he was the super-G bronze medallist and fifth in the downhill.
Like many athletes, he doesn’t get caught up in making medal predictions for the 2026 Games. Guimond is carrying a lot of responsibility into his third Paralympics.
As a skier, he’s looking to see where his best efforts will take him as his family, friends and teammates show their support. As one of six Canadian Paralympic team co-captains, he’s also the spokesperson for his alpine team at the Games.
“I’m not focused on the outcome (of races). I know my ability. I don’t often get an opportunity to compete in front of family and friends,” noted Guimond, who wants to perform to his highest level and make his supporters proud of him.
Likewise, Guimond is equally proud of his teammates, including men’s sitting skier Brian Rowland of Merrickville and Ottawa’s Sierra Smith, the guide for visually-impaired skier Kalle Eriksson of Kimberley, B.C.
Accepting the role of Canadian Paralympic team co-captain was a no-brainer for Guimond.
“The role is to represent my team and speak on their behalf. It’s a great honour. I’m proud of my team. It’s my family on the road and it’s great to represent them. I know the time, the effort and the commitment that leads up to this. I’ll represent them the best I can,” a proud Guimond stated.
The winner of the Canadian Paralympic Committee’s award for best Paralympic debut by a male athlete in 2018 also is proud about qualifying for his third consecutive Paralympics.
“It feels great,” Guimond admitted. “I’m much more seasoned and mature. When I was a kid, I loved the sport. I invested time and made the sacrifices … to be an athlete and a better athlete. It’s a beautiful opportunity to go to the Games. It’s a dream come true.”
ALEXIS GUIMOND COMPETITION SCHEDULE
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Ottawa at the Paralympics Newsletter
The Ottawa Sports Pages will produce an Ottawa at the Paralympics Newsletter throughout the March 6-15 Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Paralympic Games, featuring daily recaps, previews and competition schedules. Sign up to receive it in your inbox for free below.
Martin Cleary has written about amateur sports for over 52 years. A past Canadian sportswriter of the year and Ottawa Sports Awards Lifetime Achievement in Sport Media honouree, Martin retired from full-time work at the Ottawa Citizen in 2012, but continued to write a bi-weekly “High Achievers” column for the Citizen/Sun.
When the pandemic struck, Martin created the High Achievers “Stay-Safe Edition” to provide some positive news during tough times, via his Twitter account at first and now here at OttawaSportsPages.ca.
Martin can be reached by e-mail at martincleary51@gmail.com and on Twitter @martincleary.
