My french translation isnt great but hopefully you get the gist of it
Q: JF Cusson, How are you?
A: I'm Great! I feel like I'm 20 again! Except when I ski in the park
Q: You judged the biggest events of the winter (X-Games, Dew Tour) how was the experience?
A: I loved it, it was perfect for me. But it was hard and stressful!! The skill level and caliber was extremely high. We had to judge tricks and styles that were completely different and all executed with perfection. It became purely subjective so it leaves a large chance for controversy since there is a lot of money at stake. There are also 5000 spectators that are waiting on you and only 15 seconds to choose your score and you sometimes have to prepare to be hit by snowballs! Haha
The athletes see you differently when you're a judge. It makes me laugh. I'm the same as before and very impartial.
Q: Did you hear any derogatory (or discouraging haha my french translation is a bit weak) comments from skiers when you were a judge?
A: Absolutely not! I think they respected my judging. They realized they were lucky to have judges like us (Phil Belanger, Evan Raps..). We all participated in the creation of the sport, the evolution and we all podiumed at X Games. If someone thinks they know the sport better I would love to meet them!
Q: What are you hoping for this season?
A: A hole in one and a round of 64! hahaha. Felix Rioux is my personal photographer, and we took lots of beautiful pictures and I would really like a cover!
Q:You're still a representative for Sunice how is the new collection?
A: The new collection is very nice. Frank Raymond and I helped design and we each have our own pro-model. Sunice treats me well, they give me equipment for skiing and golfing, its prefect for me!
Q: You're still "Big in Japan"?
A: I still was last year! A little less but still pretty cool. I signed autographs for an hour at a time last year, so I imagine I am still "big." The Japanese are fantastic!
Q: After the 10th anniversary of the Salomon 1080 at IF3 last year how do you feel about the sport?
A: I think the sport is going in the right direction. I must admit I'm a little scared of the "no poles" style but I'm happy to see it dissappeared. With the leaders of the sport like Tanner Hall, Jon Olsson, TJ Schiller, Simon Dumont, etc the sport is in good hands! I can sleep in peace!
Q: Do you think Tanner Hall is right in saying "there has never been a better time to be a skier"?
A: I think he is right in several ways. When I was young there weren't even snow parks. We had to build jumps by hand and the patrollers would cut our passes an hour later! Haha. The athletes have huge budgets for movies, skidoos, helicopters and of course big contracts. The ski equipment is way better and they have more groupies! Haha! But I wouldn't trade my experiences for anything. To be born with a sport that has such purity has no price!!!
