(Beaupré) Dominique Maltais has known Eliot Grondin for a long time. The double Olympic medalist has known for a long time that Grondin would shine on the international stage.
“I often told Canada Snowboard to keep an eye on him, because he was very good,” Maltais said on Sunday, after the last Snowboard Cross World Cup of the season, the one which confirmed the first coronation of the Beauceron, masterful during the last campaign. I’m convinced he already had a future plan in mind when he looked at us back then. »
Grondin set the mark for the most victories in a season with seven, including two this weekend, in addition to finishing on the podium 10 times in 12 stages, having missed a start, in Montafon, Austria .
“Ten podiums in 12, it’s exceptional, it’s wonderful for him,” added Maltais. I told him that as long as you’re playing sport, you have to make history! He has a good head. He is passionate as I was and still am. He is an inspiration for young people: we see it with everyone here. He provides succession like Maëlle [Ricker, l’entraîneuse-cheffe de l’équipe canadienne] and I did it in our time. »
Maltais was the last Canadian to win the crystal globe, bringing home her fifth and final globe — and fourth in a row — in 2014. She is obviously very proud of the man she has known for almost a year. Fifteen years.
“He is someone I carry in my heart as a human and an athlete. It is certainly to him that this globe goes.
“The little 8-year-old guy has grown very big and I am still so proud of him. He is a good person first and foremost and I have no doubt that he will continue to amaze us for many years to come. »
The organizers had the brilliant idea of asking Maltais to hand over his globe during the protocol ceremonies. A moment that the 22-year-old snowboarder will cherish for a long time.
“It means a lot,” he said in the finish area, medal around his neck and globe in his hands. “Dom” was an idol for me when I was young. I would go see her race at Stoneham in World Cups or World Championships. To have the chance to experience this with her, it’s a beautiful moment. »
PHOTO JACQUES BOISSINOT, THE CANADIAN PRESS
Eliot Grondin
Grondin didn’t seem at all bothered by the ankle injury he suffered in Austria which prevented him from continuing his streak of eight podiums last week. It also deprived him of a first start this season, even raising fears for a while that he could miss his coronation at home.
The Sainte-Marie athlete instead showed up more determined than ever to impress the spectators on site. Of all the downhills he took part in this weekend, there was only one that Grondin did not win, finishing second in his quarter-final on Sunday.
“I had some difficulties [dimanche]. To manage to regain the upper hand and score a second victory at home, I don’t really realize it yet. Now I can say I have the globe.
” Yes [je voulais donner un spectacle], he had said a little earlier. We are at home and I wanted to win the race. I wanted to do well and show that I deserve this globe. »
“He absolutely deserves it,” Ricker said last week. He’s a great leader. He is still fine-tuning his preparation. He is a model athlete all the way around. »
Now the singles silver and mixed team bronze medalist at the Beijing Olympics will find himself in the toughest position of all next season, that of retaining the crystal globe.
“I have reached the hardest stage: refining the details,” he said. This is a problem we will have later in the coming weeks. Now I’m going to go and rest. »