The snowboard cross small final, also called the “consolation final”, was rather synonymous with satisfaction for Audrey McManiman and Eliot Grondin who both won these races and finished fifth on Saturday at the Sierre Nevada World Cup in Spain. .
McManiman was there because she fought until the end to snatch the victory and Grondin because he reached the quarter-finals for the first time in a long time at the World Cup.
On a day marked by warm temperatures that affected the snow conditions on the course, McManiman, 28, was proud of her last run of the day.
“I played everything, but I missed my start a bit. I fought all the way down in the group with the girls and at the very last second I went from third to first. I pushed my board as hard as I could and won by about two inches. So it was really exciting as a last descent! »
The snowboarder from Saint-Ambroise-de-Kildare has continued to progress since her return to competition following a concussion. Seventh at the World Championships earlier this month, she feels the stars are aligned for her to be in top form at the circuit finals to be held at Mont Sainte-Anne, March 24-26.
” It’s my goal ! My boards glide really well, I’m able to generate a lot of speed and I just need to reduce my mistakes. […] If I reduce them, I will be in the grand final, I have no doubt! »
In the semi-finals, the Quebecer was second behind the Briton and future winner of the day, Charlotte Bankes, in the second corner. At the next corner, American veteran Lindsey Jacobellis passed McManiman to deprive her of a place in the Grand Final.
Silver went to Frenchwoman Chloé Trespeuch and bronze to Jacobellis.
Grondin finds its marks
Like McManiman, Eliot Grondin’s fate was decided at the second corner of his semi-final descent.
“Two guys came in next to me so we were three wide going into turn #2 which was already quite tight. I really tried to take the inside and I expected it to be softer, so I lost my balance a bit, ”supported the snowboarder from Sainte-Marie-de-Beauce by videoconference.
The double Olympic medalist added that he was almost relieved to have been passed, otherwise he would have probably crashed into the two competitors.
“I had a good chance to advance to the big final, but at the same time, I’m still super happy with my fifth place and I won my small final from start to finish. […] A podium would have been cool, but there’s another race tomorrow and to finish the day with a win is very satisfying. »
It was Grondin’s first time past the quarter-final round of a World Cup since finishing third at Les Deux Alpes in France in December.
“A fifth place like that sure feels good, especially after a season like the one I had. The good news is that there are four World Cups to go and I still have good luck to finish strong. »
Tristan Bell, from Gatineau, placed 17e of the event which saw the Spaniard Lucas Qguibar be crowned ahead of the Italians Omar Visintin and Lorenzo Sommariva.
Another World Cup will be played at the same venue on Sunday.