BEAUPRÉ | Saturday’s gold medalist Eliot Grondin continued his momentum by winning the bronze medal of the final snowboard cross World Cup of the season yesterday at Mont-Sainte-Anne.
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In a final that ended in photo-finish, Grondin led from the start before being beaten at the finish by German Crystal Globe winner Martin Noerl and American Jake Vedder. “I just had a dream weekend,” summarized the Beauceron snowboarder, who claimed his third medal of the season and ninth of his career. I won on Saturday, won bronze today (yesterday). Few riders manage to win a final by leading from start to finish and I almost did it. It was played with little.”
DIDIER DEBUSSCISSORS/JOURNAL DE QUEBEC
Grondin was fully aware that his two rivals were blowing his neck on track. “I led the whole race, but I knew my opponents would come back. It came back quickly. Ideally I would have had a few more steps in the last corner, but it’s not easy to lead from start to finish in the final and to keep the others off the train. It’s doable, but it’s really not easy. At the finish I pushed my board and wished that was enough to get on the podium.
difficult conditions
The snow overnight, the warm temperatures and a few drops of rain in the final made it difficult for the drivers. “It was a field of bumps in the corners and nothing held up,” he said. The snow was soft and we could hardly see anything in the final because of the water in our goggles. It’s great to get on the podium in these conditions.
Third in the race for the crystal ball
Grondin’s bronze medal gave him third place in the crystal ball race. He had placed 2nd in 2021. “I was 8th ten days ago and finished the season in 3rd place,” he underscored. Yes, I’ve had a difficult season and the last three World Cups where I’ve reached the final have been good for me. It will make my summer mentally easier.”
“I’m super happy with the preparation since the World Cup to continue Grondin. It was good teamwork that allowed me to return to the final. I was able to compete with the best and won a race. I would love to win the Crystal Globe one day and hopefully next year.”
An energy that electrifies him
Grondin thoroughly enjoyed his first experience at home. “It’s cool to finish at home, especially since it was the first time my parents and friends got to see me at work. The presence of all these people gave me a surplus of energy. The energy on the track was pretty amazing. It’s rare that so many people are at the World Cup. I hope that the event will take place again in the years to come. That’s what the other runners want too.
Maëlle Ricker abounded in the same vein. “It’s the perfect place,” summed up the Canadian team’s assistant head coach. I hope the World Cup is here for a long time. Everyone wants to come back.”
Ricker, World Champion 2013 in Stoneham, was very proud of her protégé. “Éliot rode so well and I’m so proud of him. It fell just a little short, but we were treated to quite the show. It’s good for our sport. I have a photo with Eliot in 2013 when he was very young. It’s cool to see him win ten years later.”
Ricker is impressed by Grondin. “Éliot is only 21 years old, but he has the experience of an older runner. He will be champion for years and have a long career.