Waking up this morning, freestyle skier Olivia Asselin had no idea that she would be taking part in the final rounds of the X-Games. However, she will be able to return home with a bronze medal around her neck.
Posted at 5:47 p.m.
Updated at 8:32 p.m.
At 17, the athlete from Lévis participated in his first X-Games, in Aspen in the United States, the biggest event after the Olympic Games for snowboarders and freestyle skiers. Asselin was in theory part of the reservists. However, the misfortune of some can sometimes make the happiness of others…
Thursday, a competitor was injured in training. She was finally unable to take part in the day on Friday. So around 10 a.m., Asselin received an email informing her that she was going to participate in the competition.
A few hours later, she climbed on the third step of the podium in the Big Air event, in fairly difficult conditions, narrowly ahead of American Maggie Voisin, a big name in freestyle skiing in the United States.
” It’s crazy ! I still have a hard time realizing it, it’s really a dream come true for me, ”she explained, still in shock.
This performance and this result are a continuation of the skier’s start to the season on the World Cup circuit. In four competitions, she finished 24and, 9and, 5and and 4and. A dazzling progression for the young athlete, who is starting to make many eyes widen.
“It’s hard to explain,” she laughs. It really is my best season. I gain confidence with each competition and it shows in my skiing and in my results. »
Canadian Megan Oldham won the silver medal, ahead of Asselin.
PHOTO KELSEY BRUNNER, ASSOCIATED PRESS
Laurie Blouin
Quebecer Laurie Blouin also had an excellent day’s work, finishing third in the slopestyle event.