8 things to know about Mac Marcoux

1. At 16, Mac Marcoux is the youngest member of Canada's 2014 Paralympic team. He was born on June 20, 1997, which means he's a Gemini. 

2. Marcoux was already an avid alpine skier when he lost his vision to a degenerative condition. He competed in his first para-alpine race when he was 13.

3. His older brother Billy Joe is usually his guide. Unfortunately, B.J. had to pull out of the Sochi Paralympics on Wednesday after injuring himself. Marcoux's replacement guide will be veteran Robin Fémy.

4. He seems to have a couple of favourite expressions, according to his Twitter feed:

• "Always set your goals high and dream big."
• "You ain't trying hard enough if you're not making any mistakes."

He also told the Sault Ste. Marie Star once that "The faster you go, the more fun it is."

5. As part of his training, Marcoux uses a unicycle to improve his balance. 

6. He keeps secrets from his mother, according to the Canadian Paralympic Committee. What's one? Oh, how about that he sometimes mountain bikes in Whistler with a guide using the same radio communication techniques he uses on the ski hill. Mountain bikes.

7. His Paralympic inspirations are the highly-decorated cross-country skier Brian McKeever and his brother Robin. When Brian lost much of his vision to Stargardt disease when he was 19, his older brother Robin became his guide. 

8. Marcoux is a fan of his hometown Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds, of the Ontario Hockey League. He got to drop the puck at their game against the Plymouth Whalers on January 26. Was he good luck? Might've been. The Grehounds won 4-2.