(Beaupré) A bit like a gondola that detaches from a cable, Mont-Sainte-Anne brought bad luck to Audrey McManiman.
Victim of a fall in the quarterfinals the day before, the 28-year-old snowboarder had to withdraw from the second event of the Snowboardcross World Cup, won by Australian Josie Baff on Sunday.
Resigned, McManiman appeared before the reporters before the start of the final rounds, explaining that the swelling in her left knee was too bad for her to risk taking the start.
“I got up this morning and did all my warm-up. I had a meeting with the physiotherapist and we went to do some exercises in the gym to see how things were going. And it was wrong… So we made the safest decision. »
Throughout the season, the native of Saint-Ambroise-de-Kildare hurtled down the slopes with a left knee brace as a preventive measure. An examination revealed that his anterior cruciate ligament was almost completely ruptured.
McManimam was reluctant to undergo surgery in late spring, as it would cause him to miss the entire next campaign. For now, she does not know if her current injury is related to the condition of her ligament.
PHOTO JACQUES BOISSINOT, THE CANADIAN PRESS
Audrey McManiman answers questions from reporters.
“We are talking about a sprain for the moment, but we cannot confirm anything. »
The kinesiology student wants to let the inflammation subside to get a more accurate diagnosis. She will then decide whether or not to submit to an intervention.
“I’m going to get the rest I need for my whole season. We had a really busy month of March. I will concentrate on my semester to finish at the university. I will make the best possible decision a little later with my speakers. »
One thing is certain, she sees herself at the Olympic Games in Cortina in 2026. “It is cast in stone. »
“I can’t change the course of things”
In addition to her knee troubles, the one who finished 11e at the Beijing Games in 2022 missed two months with a concussion.
First in qualifying on Friday, she regretted her withdrawal all the more as the snow conditions on Sunday would have pleased her.
“When it’s slow for everyone, I know I have speed. I’m good when it snows a little. It could have been a very good day for me, but I can’t change the course of things. »
The young Australian Josie Baff stood out under the snowflakes to win and clinch the second victory of her career. She was ahead of the Austrian Pia Zerkhold and the French Chloé Trespeuch in the order.
“It’s pretty fantastic because I won the first race of the season and now I’m winning the last one,” said Baff, 20. It’s a great way to end the season. »
PHOTO JACQUES BOISSINOT, THE CANADIAN PRESS
Pia Zerkhold, Josie Baff and Chloe Trespeuch
The native of Jindabyne, in the “snowy mountains” between Sydney and Melbourne, is now heading to the Junior Worlds in Italy… with a coat that will smell like champagne.
Winner the day before, Briton Charlotte Bankes had to settle for a victory in the small final (5e), but it was enough to confirm his hold on his second Crystal Globe.
“It would have taken a big mistake for it not to work today, but I wanted to stay focused on my race, noted the 2021 world champion. It was settled after the round of 16, so it was quite a relief. »
The one who has lived in France since she was 4 years old has signed a total of six successes: “It’s a great season, I couldn’t have hoped for better. »
After making local journalists work with her London accent, her native region, she naturally switched to French, which she has spoken since her early childhood outside the house. The same cannot be said for the organizing committee of Canada Snowboard…