(Montreal) It was with a World Cup virtually at home that Lyne-Marie Bilodeau concluded what she described as “the best season of (her) career.” » On Sunday, the 22-year-old athlete took fourth place in the 20-kilometer sitting event at the World Cup in Prince George, British Columbia.
“I had high expectations for this race, I skied well and I am very happy with the result. It’s been a great season overall and it feels good to end it all on a good note in a competition in Canada,” Bilodeau told Sportcom.
The gold medal went to German Anja Wicker. She was accompanied on the podium by the Brazilian Anna Dos Santos Rocha and the Ontarian Christina Picton, second and third respectively.
Bilodeau’s fourth place even allowed him to finish third in the general ranking of the season in the World Cup in the sitting category. A completely unexpected result for her.
“After the race, my coach told me I had to stay for the medal ceremony. I told him that he was wrong, that I had finished fourth,” Bilodeau said, laughing.
“It was a very nice surprise, I didn’t expect to finish third. To be third in the world over all distances is incredible! I didn’t even think it was possible for me to aim for a cumulative podium during my career. I was fifth or sixth last year, it’s a nice progression,” she said.
In Prince George, Bilodeau also competed in a 5 kilometer race, as well as a 1.2 kilometer sprint, two races where she placed seventh and sixth respectively. The specialist in long distance events is happy with these results, particularly her participation in the sprint final, she who says she is still learning in this type of event.
“The 5 kilometer went really well and I think it was the best of my career. I’m still having trouble finding my rhythm over this distance. In the sprint, it wasn’t easy in qualifying, it didn’t work, but I still made it to the final where I was very happy with my performance,” she explained.
Two years before the Milan-Cortina d’Ampezzo Paralympic Games, Bilodeau, who trains permanently in Canmore, Alberta, is extremely satisfied with her progress over the last few years. She hopes to continue this momentum until the big event in 2026, which would be her second Paralympic participation.
“The Paralympic Games are my ultimate goal! There should be a World Cup in Canmore next year as well. There are great things coming in the next two years and that motivates me enormously. »
For now, the Quebecer will stay in Western Canada to take advantage of the last moments of winter to ski a little more before returning to Quebec to take a well-deserved vacation.