A rising freestyle skiing star was at the top of his form in Vernon, B.C. last weekend.

Yukoner Etienne Geoffroy, 19, won the Silver Star Rail Jam, a confidence boost ahead of this weekend’s Canada Cup.

Since breaking his ankle in training two years ago, Geoffroy has faced an uphill battle to get back in competition form, both on the hill and in his own head.

He said the rail jam win did a lot to help with his mental preparedness.

“I haven’t done that good in competitions since my injury two years ago,” said Geoffroy from the Silver Star Mountain Resort in Vernon this morning, where he is training with Team Yukon ahead of this weekend’s slopestyle competition.

Being able to enjoy time in the park with a group of other athletes has really helped out his confidence, he said.

During training he started with small tricks, building his way into more complex moves.

“I was learning new tricks and doing bigger stuff,” he said. “I was really happy and really stoked the whole rail jam.”

A rail jam differs from a slopestyle competition in that athletes will hit the same rail, or rail section numerous times in the competition, instead of taking a run down a course with a mix of rails, boxes and jumps.

Geoffroy said he likely hiked back up from the rail 40 times times last weekend. “It’s pretty intense,” he said.

Silver Star has been dealt some cold temperatures recently, but even though the snow is a little slower, Geoffroy said the cold really doesn’t bother him and he considers it an advantage.

The rail jam was a more informal competition compared to this weekend’s Canada Cup, the second of the season. The first was held in Whitehorse at Mt. Sima just over a month ago. Geoffroy had the Yukon’s top result at the event, finishing eighth in finals.

Five Yukon skiers will take to the slopes this weekend. Joined by coach Graham Pollock and Geoffroy are Niko and Miguel Rodden, Kyran Allen and Josh Harlow.

“It should be a really good competition,” said Pollock.

Pollock, who became the Yukon Freestyle Ski Association’s first head coach this summer said it’s good to be back at his old resort.

“Everyone has been really welcoming,” he said.

Qualifications begin Saturday, with finals running Sunday.