No Bib in Quebec
The second World Cup stop of the 2024/25 season in Lac-Beauport, Quebec, was poised to build on a surge of momentum. Just days earlier at Lake Placid, Ashton Salwan landed his first triple in World Cup competition, finishing 18th and becoming the only American outside the U.S. Ski Team to compete on the triple that weekend.
But momentum alone doesn’t guarantee opportunity. Because when Ashton arrived in Quebec, Canada on January 20, 2025, there was no bib and no certainty — only a backpack full of gear and the resolve to stay ready should a spot open.
Rules Don't Bend
Foreign World Cup start positions are assigned months in advance. For this particular event, U.S. Team athletes received their international starts back in August 2024. For Ashton, that meant waiting — prepared, focused, and ready — knowing his chance would come only if an opening appeared.
It’s a unique challenge: physically sharp, mentally locked in, yet dependent on circumstances beyond your control. Not because of injury. Not because of performance. Simply because the start list was already set.
Earning His Place
Lac-Beauport wasn’t about aerials alone — it was about identity. Ashton wasn’t just chasing a jump; he was continuing to establish himself as a formidable athlete on the World Cup level based on what he had already proven on snow. Landing a triple is one milestone. Learning to carry that confidence forward, even without a start, is another.
Moments like these test patience and belief — reminders that progress isn’t always immediately visible, but it’s still real.
Staying Ready
Rather than stepping back, Ashton leaned in. Each day, he followed his routine — warming up, observing, staying prepared as if competition were imminent. Not out of obligation, but out of commitment to himself.
That’s the reality of elite sport: showing up for the process, not just the spotlight. Being ready for the 1% chance — and knowing that readiness itself is progress, regardless of outcome.
"I showed up each day and stayed ready. Because that’s what this journey demands — patience, grit, and the nerve to believe in yourself when no one else does.”
~ Ashton Salwan
Lesson in Patience
Ashton left Canada without competing in this two-day World Cup event, but not without momentum. He carried forward something more durable: conviction.
This journey isn’t built on instant rewards. It’s built on consistency, humility, and readiness — especially when no one’s watching. Because when the door opens, those who’ve stayed prepared are the ones ready to step through.