Maple Grove Teen Trains For Olympics

Fifteen-year-old Elle Gaudette from Maple Grove was recently selected by the U.S. Freestyle Ski Team’s Elite Aerial Development Program to live, train and school year-around at the U.S. Olympic Training Center in Lake Placid, NY. 

Aerial skiing requires athletes to perform elaborate inverted flips and twists high into the air after skiing off a large ramp. The Elite Aerial Development Program is a national program that trains 12 young skiers to someday compete in the Olympics and World Cup level with the U.S. Freestyle Ski Team.

Gaudette was invited to join the program after she attended a one-week talent identification camp at the end of June 2013 in Lake Placid.  

She ranked No. 1 of 17 girls at the camp after being tested in trampoline, physical conditioning and water ramping (skiing off a ramp into a pool) skills. By July 21, she moved permanently to the U.S. Olympic Training Center.  

Gaudette lives, trains and attends school there with her 11 team members and two coaches. 

“I am so appreciative of this opportunity and have made a lot of progress in my training since I’ve moved to Lake Placid," she said. "Because of the dangerous maneuvers, aerial skiing is a sport with slow progression. I plan on participating in aerials for many years. I’m super excited to pursue my goal of competing in the 2018 and 2022 Winter Olympics.”

Gaudette has nine years experience in competitive gymnastics and two years experience in competitive freestyle skiing – an ideal combination for a successful aerial skier.  She has lived in Maple Grove for 15 years and attended elementary and junior high in District 279. She is an honor roll student and is currently a sophomore at the United States Ski and Snowboard Association TEAM Academy School.