The competitive fire was reignited for freestyle skiing sensation Cassie Sharpe as she watched the 2024 X Games.
The 2018 Olympic gold medalist and 2022 silver medalist in the women’s halfpipe initially considered retirement after welcoming her daughter, Louella, in 2023. However, seeing her peers dominate the pipe at Aspen confirmed her passion was far from extinguished.
“I was watching the contests and thought, ‘Maybe I’m not as done as I think I am,’” Sharpe shared. “I want to be with those girls, in that pipe, with that energy.”
The 32-year-old Comox, B.C., native returned to the competitive scene this winter after a two-year hiatus. Though her World Cup season began on a rocky note, she claimed a podium spot in her third event, earning her a prized invitation to this year’s X Games in Aspen, Colorado.
“Before our sport was in the Olympics, this was our Olympics,” Sharpe explained, reflecting on the significance of her X Games invitation. “It’s about proving I can still stand on that stage with the younger girls. It’s super fun.”
A former X Games champion (2019 gold, 2021 silver), Sharpe is among 11 Canadians competing in this year’s event. Her season also includes the Calgary Freestyle World Cup in February and the World Championships in St. Moritz in March.
Returning to the elite level wasn’t easy. Sharpe and her husband, Justin Dorey—himself a 2014 Olympic freestyle halfpipe skier—strategized how to manage life on the road with a baby. Sharpe’s mother, Chantal, took a leave from her career to travel as Louella’s nanny.
The ultimate goal? The 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan-Cortina, Italy.
“When Justin and I looked at it on paper, it’s a two-year push, with the world championships and then the Olympics,” Sharpe said. “It’s huge.”
Life as an athlete-mother has its challenges, from sleepless nights to juggling parenting duties between competitions. After a difficult start in New Zealand, Sharpe found her rhythm, earning a third-place finish in Copper Mountain, Colorado.
“I’ve been working really hard to get back into the halfpipe and back into the mix,” she said.
Even freestyle superstar Eileen Gu praised Sharpe’s comeback. “She’s an inspiration, an amazing skier,” Gu remarked.
Motherhood has added a new layer of pressure for Sharpe, who is determined to prove she belongs at the top.
“It’s different and challenging, but having Louella with me is so cool and fun,” she said.
Source: Swifteradio.com
