Éliot Grondin came close to scoring a double at the Mont-Sainte-Anne Snowboard Cross World Cup. A few centimeters in fact.
The snowboarder from Sainte-Marie-de-Beauce led almost from start to finish in the grand finale of this final event of the season. His opponents, the German Martin Nörl and the American Jake Vedder, took advantage of the aspiration that the Quebecer gave them to get ahead of him at the finish line.
“At the end of the race, I knew I was up front. I suspected that [les gars] were going to come back in the grand final, said Grondin after the ceremonies. [Samedi]it managed to hold, but [dimanche], it didn’t last as long. The Spaniard touched my board in the straight line: there was contact. I was just trying to hold a straight line as much as possible. »
There photo finish was necessary to decide between everyone, confirming the victory of Nörl, who thus gets his hands on the crystal globe of the discipline with 510 points.
“I took advantage of Lucas’ suction [Eguibar] to pass third and that of Eliot at the finish line, explained the German. I didn’t know if I was first, second or third. I knew Lucas was fourth, so the globe was in the pocket. Winning the race is even better.”
“It’s difficult to catch Eliot, because he’s heavy and he’s strong at the start. Usually heavy riders are not good at the start, but he is excellent. It is clear that he gave us suction at the end of the race so that we could overtake him. »
This third place comes on top of the victory won the day before by Grondin, who saved a difficult season with three last quality races. This allowed him to climb to third place in the World Cup standings with 399 points, he who started the weekend in eighth place.
“I think it’s a dream weekend,” he said. A victory [samedi]a catwalk [dimanche]. From what I understand, there are not many guys who have led their races from start to finish. I almost made it. It was played little for the arrival. Only 10 days ago, I was eighth overall, but now I’m third. It’s been a difficult season, but to make the grand final of the last three World Cups will make my summer easier mentally. »
“In March, he improved every step of the way,” noted national team co-head coach Maëlle Ricker. He ran so well. It will help him in confidence for next year. It’s a perfect weekend for him. »
“Éliot is very young, but he has won a lot so far. He’s a fucking good rider, commented Nörl. It will be there for several years. He will win the globe one day, that’s for sure. »
As for other Canadians, Evan Bichon, 12e the day before, finished in 13e place on Sunday after finishing fourth in its quarter-final heat. Liam Moffatt finished 17eColby Graham in 25e place, while Tristan Bell, Griffin Mason, Noah Royz, Kai Hooper and Scott WIlliam were credited with a 33e place.
The day started with the remnants of the storm that hit the area last night, leaving some 25 centimeters of snow on its way, dramatically changing racing conditions.
“It was quite intense, the turns, nothing held together, they were fields of bumps, explained Grondin. To finish the season on the podium, it feels good. »
Bankes stopped in semi-final
Among the ladies, the Briton Charlotte Bankes was unable to sign a seventh victory in a row.
Eliminated in the semi-finals, she recovered by winning the small final to finish in fifth place, confirming at the same time her conquest of the crystal globe.
It was the young Australian Josie Baff who signed the victory, her second of the season. She finished ahead of the Austrian Pia Zerkhold and Chloé Trespeuch. The Frenchwoman was the only one who could have topped Bankes in the Crystal Globe ranking. She will have to settle for second place, ahead of Baff.
“The first three waves, I had really bad starts,” Baff said. In the final, I finally had a good one, and it’s as if I didn’t know what to do with it! But my board was fast, and I was able to hold on throughout. »
The three Canadian contenders — Kennedy Justinen, Lily Bellaar Spruyt and Arianne Gallant — all finished third in their first heat of the day to finish tied for 17e rank.
Audrey McManiman did not start due to a left knee injury. She concludes the season at the 15e rank in the general classification.