Ex-national ski coach favoured athletes who allowed his sexual advances, 8th witness testifies

An eighth alleged victim of Bertrand Charest is testifying at the sexual assault trial of the former ski coach, saying Charest regularly touched and kissed her as well as other teenage skiers.

• Woman says Bertrand Charest stuck his hands down her pants when she was about 16

The witness says Charest would refuse to coach her if she let him know the kisses made her uncomfortable.

Charest is on trial on 57 charges, including sexual assault and breach of trust, in relation to alleged incidents involving 12 girls and women between the ages of 12 and 19.

The alleged incidents described by today's witness first began in 1992, when she was 14, and lasted until 1996. Charest, now 51, worked with Alpine Canada's women's development team between 1996 and 1998.

Several witnesses have testified to having had sexual relationships with Charest and have said he was controlling and
manipulative toward the athletes whose careers he managed.

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The allegations date back to the 1990s and involve locations such as Whistler, B.C., New Zealand, Italy and the United States.