Sophomore Will St. Germain was recently given the Eastern Intercollegiate Ski Association men’s Alpine Rookie of the Year award. From Quebec City in Canada, St. Germain began skiing the slopes of Mont-Sainte-Anne, outside of Quebec City, at just two years old.

“My first competitive race was at the age of 12,” he said.

With UVM just across the Canadian border and the reputation it  built up over the years, St. Germain’s choice to attend school here was not difficult for him, he said.

A mechanical engineering major, St. Germain has high ambitions not only for skiing, but for education as well.

“I wanted to combine skiing with school,” St. Germain said. “After I came for a visit I pretty much knew I wanted to come here.”

As a first-year, St. Germain won the EISA slalom championship with a time of 1:50.61.

Out of 12 total events this season, St. Germain placed first in four events, and second in three events, according to UVM athletics.

He said his success is attributed to his work ethic and the training regime his trainers have implemented.

“I work hard,” he said. “The training we had was intense, the coaching staff is awesome and Stowe Mountain is a great place to practice.”

UVM’s overall ski team, after winning the EISA, placed fourth in the National Championships.

St. Germain said he was disappointed in his individual performance, noting a critical mistake made at the bottom of the run.

“I skied well, but first round I failed on the flat,” he said. “When [you’re] skiing and you make little mistakes, it really hurts you. It wasn’t the performance I was hoping to have.”

“It’s only two races so you really have to go as fast as you can and even take some risks as you go because you want to have the best possible run you can,” St. Germain said.

Out of 30 competitors, St. Germain finished ninth in the giant slalom, and 15th in slalom, according to UVM athletics.

The results weren’t what he hoped for, but he said he has high expectations for himself and his team in the coming years.

“This year we had one guy injured, but he’s coming back and he should make a huge impact,” he said. “On the guys’ squad, we will be stronger for sure.”

St. Germain said he is determined and confident in his ability and his teams’ ability to win a national title.

“It’s always the goal to win the national title,” he said.

The UVM men’s and women’s ski team ended their season March 14 at the NCAA Championships in Lake Placid, New York.