Sutton Ski Club – MARTIN DUROCHER PASSES THE TORCH
Text from the Club de ski Sutton Facebook page (translated by Mont SUTTON):
WARRIOR OF THE YEAR
A page of our club’s history was turned this Sunday (January 7, 2024).
After seven seasons with the #forcerouge, we must resign ourselves to part with our beloved head coach Martin Durocher.
Now director of high-performance at Ski Québec Alpin, he becomes, in a way, the coach of Quebec coaches.
Sunday was our “Course Chocolat”, an end-of-Christmas-camp classic race for our U8-10-12s. Martin was there, leading the way, and saw an army of young and veteran coaches he had inspired get down to work to give our youngsters a great race. He saw the commitment of our youngsters, their team spirit and their progress in skiing.
After the medal ceremony, a tribute was paid to his humble image: the podium is in front. The youngsters grouped in front of the medallists. Parents and coaches in a circle. Time to pay tribute. Where is he now? Behind the circle, uncomfortable at suddenly being the center of attention.
We couldn’t have asked for a better coach. A coach who has worked at the highest level, with Valérie Grenier and Laurence St-Germain for example, at the helm of our local Club? We still pinch ourselves! He proved to be a brilliant leader, keen to train complete athletes. Not just elite skiers, but young people who move, play several sports, have a healthy lifestyle and enjoy the mountains. He promoted them everywhere, even in newspapers open letters. That’s where the success comes from. The proof: Five – 5!!!! – skiers who passed through the Club under his reign are shining on Team Quebec this season, the likes of which we’ve never seen.
It’s no coincidence that he attracted Florence Lacombe to our team, and that together they developed our U16 Performance Program, which kept our elite racers at home longer, before they continued their development with Équipe Élite Alpin de l’Estrie.
He also brilliantly developed the potential of his successor, at least for the rest of the season, Francis Dubord, a hard-working, passionate young coach who is adored by his youngsters.
A great leader, whom we lose a little, but whom Quebec wins!
Thank you, Coach!
The Sutton Ski Club
Mont SUTTON would like to join the Sutton Ski Club team in wishing Martin Durocher every success in his new role, although we’ll certainly have the pleasure of running into him regularly at the mountain! Thank you Martin for all your hard work and passion!
We also wish Francis Dubord a great ski season as head coach!
Happy season to all the #forcerouge!
