Olivia Asselin has much to be proud of. The 17-year-old Quebecer, for whom it is the first Olympic Games, finished in 8and rank in the final of the big jump event on Monday evening.
Posted yesterday at 10:11 p.m.
Asselin, who had taken the 11and rank in qualifying, was the second to set off on the hard snow of Beijing. She broke the ice with a double flatspin 900, but was unable to take his ski in his hand, which cost him dearly in scoring. Her 62.00 points placed her in 10and rank at the end of the first round.
The young Quebec sensation tried to recover on his second try with a double cork 1260, but again missed his grip on skis. She seemed disappointed when she reached the bottom of the slope. The judges awarded him 60.25 points, which already reduced his chances of a place on the podium to nothing.
Asselin finished his first Olympic final in style with a double cork 1080 very well executed, which earned him 85.50 points.
His cumulative score of 147.50 allowed him to finish the final at 8and rank. The athlete from Lévis does not have to be ashamed of her first Games, she who is promised a great career.
Megan Oldham at the foot of the podium
Flamboyant during the qualifications, Megan Oldham continued her momentum from her first jump in the final. She made a double cork switch 1080 with a good hold of the skis, which however lacked a bit of height. She got 85.00 points, good for 6and rank after a round.
PHOTO MARTIN CHAMBERLAND, THE PRESS
Canadian Megan Oldham finished 4thand rank in the final of the big jump event.
On her second run, the young Ontario rider delivered a double cork 1260 all in height with grip of skis, which enabled him to obtain 89.25 points. She was pointing at 4and rank after the second run.
Oldham delivered an excellent third jump, the same as his first. Visibly proud of what she had accomplished, she smiled at the camera as she waited for her score: 88.75 points. An insufficient score to dislodge the first three skiers.
With a cumulative score of 178.00, the 20-year-old finished her first Olympic final just off the podium.
Spectacular from start to finish, China’s Eileen Gu won gold. France’s Tess Ledeux grabbed the silver, but broke down in tears, disappointed to have dropped out of first place. Swiss Mathilde Gremaud completed the podium.