After the intoxication of victory on Saturday, Marion Thénault experienced great disappointment yesterday when she was excluded from the final for only the second time in her career.
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Wearing the yellow jersey as leader of the World Cup standings for the first time in her career, Thénault executed a jump she is used to landing easily, but was unable to land properly .
“I made a mistake that I often made before, she explained. I brought my feet back on landing. I had a very nice jump and I had it, but I wasn’t aggressive enough in my actions. It is not a question if I am able to pass it or not. The question is whether I am in a good frame of mind or not. »
Thénault was unable to come down from his cloud after having had moments of great intensity on Saturday, surrounded by his loved ones.
“It’s difficult to live such beautiful moments, which were simply incredible, and to have to start all over again the next day,” she said. Mentally, I couldn’t do it. I have work to do on this level. »
Did she feel extra pressure after climbing to the top step of the podium on Saturday?
“Honestly, I don’t think so,” she said. I always want to win. I was more confident than the day before because of my victory. I have to learn to manage two consecutive World Cups, which I had never experienced before. »
Profitable experience
Jeff Bean believes that Thénault’s misadventure is part of his apprenticeship.
“I was really disappointed this morning, but it’s a good experience if you look at Marion’s overall career,” summarized Canadian team head coach Jeff Bean. It’s not easy to come back to the same state of mind after having experienced such strong emotions. She went through something really special to win at home and it’s 100 percent normal what happened. »
“She’s going to learn a lot from this experience,” Bean continued. I am very happy that she was able to keep the yellow jersey. The real test will be at the next World Cup and I’m confident she’ll be back on the podium in the United States. Despite her accomplishments since the beginning of her career, we must not forget that Marion is still a young competitor. »
Thénault was ruled out of the final at her first World Cup on February 7, 2020 in Deer Valley, finishing in 18th place.
“It just hurts, not more because I’m at home. Wearing the yellow jersey for the first time in my career probably added stress. »
Best Canadian
Discarded from the final on Saturday, Flavie Aumond bounced back in a good way with a seventh place finish, missing her third career super final by very little.
“I was disappointed on Saturday, but I’m happy today [hier]. I made a small mistake landing on final and I knew I wouldn’t make the super final. »