MONTREAL- This weekend mogul skier Tania Taddeo will be competing in the Junior National Championships in Lac Beauport.
The 17-year-old is a rookie on the Quebec Performance team, but is already doing well competing for Canada internationally.
Tania started out ski racing but fell in love with moguls for one reason.
"I really like that there was jumps in it. So everywhere you go it's a different challenge you have to get used to the course you have to get used to the jumps, and you always have to push yourself," said Tania.
Her father Johnny says she has always been fearless on the slopes.
"She started skiing at three-years-old and around five she was trying to hit every jump possible," said Taddeo.
Tania's come a long way since then, and her parents were very proud to see her silver performance at last year's Junior National Championships.
"It was amazing! It was great! We were on site in Jasper, Alberta, and to see her come down the run it was just phenomenal," said Taddeo.
Her coach says Tania is a special athlete to work with because she is determined to succeed.
"Maybe it's Italian blood, I don't know," joked Genevieve Gingras. "She has that spark in her eyes. When she has a goal she just works to reach it."
Tania says mogul skiing has given her the opportunity to travel, and competing internationally is a thrill.
"It just pushes you with other athletes. You see them and you have to compete on the same level as them," said Tania.
"It's just the adrenalin rush. It invades your body and it's really fun."
We are always on the lookout for new talent, so if you know a great amateur athlete in your community, email Randy today and they may end up being profiled as one of Randy's Rookies!
