Éliot Grondin could not have chosen a better moment to return to victory on the World Cup circuit, winning the first event of the Mont-Ste-Anne stage on Saturday, in front of family and friends.
“It’s my first win this year after a tough season at home,” he said at the bottom of the track. I had to pinch myself a lot during the day to stay in the present moment. »
“It’s the first time that my parents and my friends are present at the World Cup. I can’t wait to join them. »
The snowboarder from Ste-Marie-de-Beauce beat Austrian Jakub Dusek and Spaniard Lucas Eguibar to climb to the top step of the podium for the first time since March 20, 2022, in Veysonnaz, Switzerland.
Grondin did not immediately celebrate this victory, the judges having to go to the photo-finish.
“I had seen out of the corner of my eye the Austrian who was coming back strong. I saw it fall, so I thought it was me, but looking at the screen, I saw the photo-finish icon. Had to wait. I was pretty sure I had it. »
The Italian Lorenzo Sommariva finished fourth in this grand final.
The Quebecer led almost from start to finish in this final race of the day. Dusek crashed hard just before the wire, but he managed to launch his board forward, which made this end of the race tighter than it looked.
“I knew I was doing really well since the beginning of the week. I just wanted to be fluid in the corners, to gain speed in the first part, indicated Grondin. In the final, I didn’t have to fight for a line, because I was up front. I was just hoping they wouldn’t catch me. I was like, “Go as fast as you can, stay small, and hope he doesn’t come back on you.” I’m glad it worked. »
He also believes that this last run of the day was his best.
“I would say that she is the one I controlled the best. We also changed the boards before the final, that’s why I had good speed. »
This victory allows him to jump four places in the World Cup standings and now point to fourth place with 339 points, 71 less than the German Martin Nörl, fifth on Saturday. Eguibar (386) is second, ahead of the Italian Omar Visintin, eliminated in a surprise fashion in the round of 16.
British Columbian Evan Bichon, the only other Canadian to qualify for the playoffs, saw his run come to an end in the quarter-finals. He concluded the competition in 12e place.
“I’m happy with my day,” said the Mackenzie snowboarder. I was going for the semi-final, but small errors in the first corner and in the last part cost me a qualification. [Dimanche], we will try to go to the end. »
McManiman falls
Among the women, Audrey McManiman did not have the expected day after finishing first in qualifying. The snowboarder from St-Ambroise-de-Kildare was involved in a fall with the French Manon Petit-Lenoir, an incident for which she received a yellow card.
“I arrived before turn noh 2, there were three rolls and I ran out of pace, she explained. In the noh 3, Manon came to stand in front of me and I couldn’t avoid her, so we both fell. […] I was surprised to have a yellow card, Manon too. It’s sports. It’s still a contact sport. I don’t decide, it’s the judges. »
This clash relegated her to last place in the round of 16, i.e. in 16e place.
“Not making it through the quarters is disappointing for me,” McManiman admitted. He’s staying [dimanche]. It will be another day. […] Indeed, I made a mistake in the rolls before turn 3. A rhythm error, I arrived too light. The snow was a little soft, Manon was in front of me. These are the circumstances. »
It was Britain’s Charlotte Bankes who won the event after a frenzied final. Long fourth in this final, she beat Frenchwoman Chloé Trespeuch and Americans Lindsey Jacobellis and Faye Gulini to win a sixth race in a row.
“This final was absolutely crazy. I messed up my start and had to focus on generating speed to come back,” said the winner. You don’t want to end up on the ground, but you have to leave everything on track until the wire. I didn’t think I could do it, but I did. »
Bankes obviously occupies first place in the general classification at 678 points, 88 better than Trespeuch.
“There is still one race left and nothing is settled. I have to do the same again tomorrow. »
McManiman points at 12e step, at 166 points.
The whole set has an appointment on Sunday, for the very last World Cup of the season.