Canada shines at the 2017 Sports Experts Speed Nation Nationals

Robanske and McManiman triumph at Tremblant

The 2017 Sports Experts Speed Nation Nationals, presented by Mazda Canada and FA Design, kicked off on the afternoon of April 4th with the Snowboardcross National Championships. An international field of riders headed to Mont Tremblant, QC, for the last NorAM race of the calendar, with national team rider Chris Robanske (Calgary, AB) taking home the top spot on the men’s side and Audrey McManiman taking home gold on the women’s side. Carle Brenneman (North Vancouver, BC) and Tess Critchlow (Kelowna, BC) rounded off the women’s podium in second and third.

After spending much of the semi-final and final dueling with teammate, and 2016 National Champion, Kevin Hill (Vernon, BC), Robanske was able to pull ahead and win his first ever National Championship.

Results Women
Results Men
 

Beaulieu & Gerencser golden in PGS

Sébastien Beaulieu (Sherbrooke, QC) and Katrina Gerencser (Burlington, ON) each claimed top spot in PGS NorAM action, while 2010 Olympic Gold medalist Jasey Jay Anderson (Mont Tremblant, QC) also reached the podium, nabbing second place behind Beaulieu.

It was a double podium for Gerencser, who also grabbed silver in the PSL with Megan Farrell (Richmond Hill, ON) sliding into third. Darren Gardner (Burlington, ON) and Arnaud Gaudet (Montcalm, QC) earned silver and bronze respectively

Results Women PSL
Results Men PSL
Results Women PGS
Results Men PGS
 

SBX & Alpine Speed Nation Tour Winners announced

Evan Bichon (Prince George, BC) and Audrey McManiman (Sainte-Ambroise-de-Kiladaire, QC) were the overall Speed Nation Snowboardcross tour winners. The Alpine snowboard tour titles belonged to Arnaud Gaudet (Montcalm, QC) and Jennifer Hawkrigg (Toronto, ON).

All tour winners will take home an incredible prize package. This includes: surf rentals, surf lessons, and two nights accommodation courtesy of Relic Surf Shop & The Surf’s Inn, as well as a full day lift ticket for Mont Tremblant.

Tour Standings SBX
Tour Standings Alpine
 

Minard defends Para Snowboard Upper Limb title

Curt Minard (Vernon, BC) succcesfully defended his Upper Limb national title, edging out national team teammate Andrew Genge (Oshawa, ON) in the Big Final. Newcomer Jakob Bouchard took home the bronze. Sandrine Hamel captured the national title on the women's side.

The Lower Limb category was a tightly contested affair, with Gerrit Van Bruggen (St. Albert, AB) and John Leslie (Arnprior, ON) battling all the way down to the finish line. It was Van Bruggen who crossed the line first to claim his inaugural National Championship gold medal. Alex ‘Bubz’ Massie (Barrie, ON) put up a strong effort and finished in third.

Para Results
 

Junior Athletes shine

Junior athletes from across the country continued to impress throughout the week, making their mark at Nationals in several disciplines. Competing in the Junior, U15, and even senior categories, Canada’s brightest young riders completed a number of memorable performances and also swept several podiums throughout the week.

Junior SBX National Championship

1. Emilie-Kate Robinson-Leith
2. Cloe Hamel
3. Rosemarie Begin Tanguay
4. Audrey Shieh
5. Alexandra White

1. Evan Bichon
2. Liam Moffat
3. Jin Woo (KOR)
4. Justin Lavictoire
5. Colby Graham

SBX U15

1. Bridget MacLean
2. Jade Bouchard
3. Hannah Kilmer-Choi
4. Marnie Obrien
5. Brooke D’Hondt

1. Jacob Walper
2. Ethan Davy
3. Finnegan Megale
4. Nikolas Cadieux
5. Tristan Bell

Junior PGS National Championship

1. Kaylie Buck
2. Marianne Laurin-Lalonde
3. Millie Bongiorno (AUS)
4. Rebecca Letourneau-Duynstee
5. Emme Weston

1. Arnaud Gaudet
2. Jamie Behan
3. Felix Carpentier
4. Matthew Crawford
5. Riley Kilmer-Choi

U15 PGS National Championship

1. Katie Woodside
2. Érika Gaujac
3. Hannah Kilmer-Choi
4. Lauren McKay
5. Kate Gyles

1. Jacob Farber
2. Adam Farber
3. Ben Heldman
4. Michael Gyles
5. Tristan Bell

Full Junior & U15 results available online.

A huge thanks to Association Quebec Snowboard, the riders, parents, coaches, volunteers, and sponsors: Sports Experts, Mazda Canada, FA Design, Skull Candy, Relic Surf Shop, The Surfs Inn, Clif Bar, Mont Tremblant, Sport Canada, and the Government of Quebec!

Photos: John Kunicek

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