AIPS15/02/2011

ALPINE SKI
Skiiing grandad puts Haitian cause on the map in Garmisch-Partenkirchen
By Roslyn Morris, AIPS Secretary General

GARMISCH-PARTENKIRCHEN, February 15, 2011 - The hopes of a broken nation are resting on the broad shoulders of Haitian grandfather Jean-Pierre Roy who will take to the icy slopes at the FIS World Alpine Ski Championships on Thursday. The 47-year-old ... 

photo AIPS

Jean-Pierre Roy speaks to media at the Main Press Centre in Garmisch-Partenkirchen. Photo/Ros Morris

http://www.aipsmedia.com/images/homepage_r17_c5.jpg

 

GARMISCH-PARTENKIRCHEN, February 15, 2011 - The hopes of a broken nation are resting on the broad shoulders of Haitian grandfather Jean-Pierre Roy who will take to the icy slopes at the FIS World Alpine Ski Championships on Thursday.
The 47-year-old self-appointed Haiti Ski Federation President, team captain and lone racer will attempt to qualify for the giant slalom against the likes of Bode Miller and Ivica Kostevic.
An emotional Roy, who was born in Haiti and emigrated to France when he was two years old told media in a press conference this morning that he had lost family in the earthquake which ravaged his home nation.
“I went to Haiti in October, ten months after the disaster and what I saw was terrible. I wanted to do something to help my country and decided I could increase the profile through skiing.
“I founded the Haitian Ski Federation which was recognised by FIS on November 6. That gave me exactly 20 days of full skiing to prepare  – four times more than what I have each year,” the computer engineer who has his own company and employs 10 people said.
Roy has skied for almost one week each year since he went on a school trip at the age of six.
"I would like start a real Haitian team for the next winter Olympic Games,” he said,  hoping to attract expatriate skiers from France, the United States and Canada. 
The Haitian Ski Federation logo consists of a skier passing a palm tree, which is highly unlikely, but as Roy says, Haiti’s highest peak Morne de la Selle at almost 2600m has snow two days per year!
Roy qualified for Garmisch by racing in France, his best result was coming 25th (last) in a slalom event at Val Thorens. He finished more than one minute behind the guy in front.
Roy’s manager, coach and friend is Thierry Montillet. They met through a ski club in Paris.
“We hope to be able to give a good view of Haiti,” Montillet said.
Nicknamed “Rasta Piquett” after the Rasta Rockets from the cult movie about the Jamaican bobsled team Cool Running, Roy modelled his new Euro 15,000 ski kit provided by Rossignol this morning.
Roy is staying in the same hotel as the Austrian ski team and has breakfast each day with Austrian ski sensation Elisabeth Goergl and looks upon her as a role model.
“I am carrying a few kilos but work out every day on a ski machine in my garage at home near Paris.
“I look at photos of famous skiers and try to emulate their actions – it will take years, but I am up to it,” Roy said.
The determined grandfather doesn’t have a snowball’s chance in hell at winning in Garmisch, but he has certainly put the spotlight on his troubled homeland which is still in need of desperate help. 

By Roslyn Morris, AIPS Secretary General