Laurie Blouin’s mother was disappointed to see her at the foot of the podium on Saturday evening, after a third run which she considered “impeccable”. But despite the result, Martine Collin kept repeating how proud she was of her daughter, a few minutes after the confirmation of her fourth place.
“We can’t change anything about it, it’s a judged sport, noted Ms. Collin. But for me, she gave an incredible performance. Sometimes, it is played on mini errors which make lose hundredths of points. For her, it’s not the ideal position, but she’ll recover, I’m sure. »
Martine Collin was one of the forty relatives and friends of the snowboarder who had braved the -20 degrees ambient to attend the women’s slopestyle final together, at the Parc des Fondateurs de Stoneham, near Quebec City.
With the hope, of course, of seeing Blouin repeat, or even improve, her performance of four years ago, when she won the silver medal.
Many of them had put on over their coats a white t-shirt on which was printed the face of Blouin and the inscription “Team Laurie” (“Team Laurie”). A heater and a fireplace had been installed to warm the more cautious.
On country
But it took more than a mercury well below freezing to chill the partisan crowd.
On each of the 25-year-old snowboarder’s three runs, Man! I feel like a woman!, a Shania Twain hit, echoed through the speakers. Several of Blouin’s friends then took the opportunity to perform line dancing steps in front of the screen.
” [Laurie et moi], we really like country and line dancing, said Lisa Lamarre, a childhood friend of Blouin. We have already taken lessons, we really like going to the Saint-Tite festival and to rodeos. »
The excitement was at its height on the final run of the final, as each of the Stoneham athlete’s tricks was greeted with shouts and jumps.
And even if the disappointment was obviously great when the number “4” appeared alongside Blouin’s name, his mother believes that it is only a postponement.
“She will continue to force, she will not let go,” said Ms. Collin. We would be even happier with a podium [samedi], but he still has the big air. »
“Regardless of the outcome, it’s gold in our hearts. We love her and we are proud of her,” adds Lisa Lamarre.