The 2022 scenario was repeated today at the Mont-Sainte-Anne Downhill World Cup as Canadian Jackson Goldstone climbed to the highest step of the podium.
Last to start just like his compatriot and friend Finn Iles last year, the British Columbia rider managed a perfect descent in front of an excited crowd to sign his second victory of the season, which allowed him to complete the year in second place in the cumulative ranking.
“It’s an honor to win at home,” said Goldstone, who won last year in the junior category. I wanted to show that Canada was here to stay after the victories of Finn and Steve Smith (2013). It’s great that Canada has won two in a row.”
Ill at the start of the season and absent from the world championship, Goldstone pinched himself to believe what he achieved in his first season in the elite category. “My goal was to win a podium and I finished the year with five podiums, including two victories,” said the 20-year-old rider. I exceeded my expectations. I had my ups and downs, but I was able to come back strong. I hope that if I stay healthy next year, I can do even better.”
Fall of the reigning champion
Reigning champion, Finn Iles was literally flying over the course when his mount slipped in the rock section. The Specialized Gravity rider had a priority of more than four seconds over his closest opponent on a wet course due to showers.
“It’s so disappointing because I had a very good race and I could have finished in the Top 3,” he said. On a wet course, you roll the dice. Compared to the first two days, the conditions were completely different. I was able to adjust except at the end. I was pushing hard and ready to take risks, but I should have been smarter at the end of the race by reducing the pace.”
“I wanted to gain places in the cumulative ranking and that’s why I pushed so hard, to pursue Iles who finished the season in 4th place overall. I knew that a victory would allow me to move up a few ranks. It’s my first fall of the season and it’s sad that it happened here.”
Overall victory
Victim of a fall at Snowshoe in Virginia last week, Frenchman Loïc Bruni was not very confident when he started the final. “I’m very proud of having held on to the pressure because I’m not too strong in the rain and my body was at the end of its life after last week’s fall,” said Bruni, who loves performing in Quebec. The main goal was to win the overall title even if I didn’t win the race.”
“Both physically and mentally, it was one of the most difficult races of my career, chasing Bruni who won the world championship in 2019 at Mont-Sainte-Anne. I was on the verge of breaking down. I’m very happy that the season is over.”
Among the women, the Austrian Valentina Holl signed the victory and got her hands on the cumulative title. The German Nina Hoffmann and the Italian Veronika Widmann completed the podium.