19 athletes nominated to represent Team Canada in snowboard at Beijing 2022
WHISTLER (January 19, 2022) – Canada Snowboard and the Canadian Olympic Committee have nominated 19 snowboarders to represent Team Canada at the Beijing 2022 Olympic Winter Games.
The athletes and coaches nominated are:
Halfpipe:
Brooke D'Hondt (Calgary, Alta.)
Elizabeth Hosking (Longueuil, Que.)
Derek Livingston (Aurora, Ont.)
Michael Slaughter (Arkansas, USA) – Coach
Brian Smith (Saint-Sauveur-des-Monts, Que.) – Coach
Parallel Giant Slalom:
Megan Farrell (Richmond Hill, Ont.)
Arnaud Gaudet (Montcalm, Que.)
Hannes Mutschlechner (San Vigilio di Marebbe, Italy) – Coach
Ingemar Walder (Innervillgraten, Austria) – Coach
Slopestyle / Big Air:
Jasmine Baird (Georgetown, Ont.)
Laurie Blouin (Québec City, Que.)
Brooke Voigt (Fort McMurray, Alta.)
Mark McMorris (Regina, Sask.)
Max Parrot (Bromont, Que.)
Darcy Sharpe (Comox, B.C.)
Sébastien Toutant (L'Assomption, Que.)
Adam Burwell (Regina, Sask.) – Coach
Elliot Catton (Collingwood, Ont.) – Coach
Jeremy Sheppard (Pemberton, B.C.) – Coach
Chris Witwicki (Calgary, Alta.) – Coach
Snowboard Cross:
Zoe Bergermann (Erin, Ont.)
Tess Critchlow (Big White, B.C.)
Meryeta O'Dine (Prince George, B.C.)
Audrey McManiman (St-Ambroise-de-Kildare, Que.)
Eliot Grondin (Sainte-Marie, Que.)
Kevin Hill (Vernon, B.C.)
Liam Moffatt (Truro, N.S.)
Maëlle Ricker (Vancouver, B.C.) – Coach
Jake Holden (Halton Hills, Ont.) – Coach
Chris Robanske (Calgary, Alta.) – Coach
The 19 riders qualified for Team Canada based on their performances across the Olympic Qualification window.
The COVID-19 pandemic posed a challenge to the qualification series of World Cups and other major events. Some disciplines were forced to extend their international qualification window due to a large number of event cancellations whereas other disciplines remained as per usual.
“It doesn’t feel real yet," said Brooke D'Hondt, who will make her Olympic debut. "I'm so grateful for this opportunity, and couldn’t be more excited to represent my country in Beijing!”
Max Parrot had pre-qualified for the slopestyle/big air team based on his results from the 2020-21 winter season. The remainder of the men’s slopestyle/big air team battled for the last three spots within a group that could have had a number of additional podium contenders.
The Canadian slopestyle/big air team is one of the most formidable on the planet. Within the selection window, every single athlete was on the podium at a World Cup or X Games at least once.
"It's definitely been a tricky qualification process. In years past, I had already qualified the year prior but then ran into some hiccups with injuries. And then this one, it's been a lot of COVID issues and missed events, cancelled events. I've had some ups and downs this season, but I came through earlier in the year and was able to lock up my spot on the team. It feels good, battling the adversity as per usual." - Mark McMorris
"I'm really happy, it seems like 2018 was yesterday and now it's crazy that we're already looking ahead to the next Olympics," added Laurie Blouin. "I'm really happy to be able to ride, to have fun, that's all that matters at the end of the day."
Beyond podiums, the entire team has shown their potential, with all 19 athletes listed having hit a top-10 or better result in a World Cup or major international event.
Other notable stories include:
- 16-year-old Brooke D’Hondt is projected to be the youngest Canadian athlete to compete at Beijing 2022
- Max Parrot returns to the Olympic stage after having recently beat Hodgkin’s lymphoma. He won the 2019 Air + Style Big Air Olympic test event at the Big Air Shougang in Beijing.
- Mark McMorris looks to become Canada’s first three-time Olympic snowboard medallist in his third Olympic appearance.
- Reigning Olympic champion Sébastien Toutant looks to defend his title in big air.
- The snowboard cross mixed team event makes its debut in Beijing as the first ever team and first ever mixed gender event in Olympic snowboard.
- Retired Olympic champion Maëlle Ricker will make her Olympic coaching debut.
- Darcy Sharpe (X Games gold medallist) will attend the Games with his sister Cassie Sharpe, the reigning Olympic champion in freestyle skiing halfpipe, for the first time.
“Watching our team shine at the Olympic Winter Games will be a huge reward for everyone that has been a part of the struggle to get the team to Beijing against all odds,” said Canada Snowboard CEO Dustin Heise. “The strength, determination and stories of our team, combined with their potential for world leading performance, will inspire Canadians from coast-to-coast-to coast.”
Team Canada has won 11 Olympic medals in snowboard (four gold, four silver and three bronze).
"I am pleased to welcome the men and women who will represent our country in snowboard," said Catriona Le May Doan, Team Canada's Beijing 2022 Chef de Mission. "The excitement and thrill of these events are always a highlight. The Canadians have continued to be a force to be reckoned with on the international scene and we look forward to showcasing these athletes in Beijing as they challenge for the podium."
Snowboard will take place February 5 to February 15 (Days 1 to 11) at the Genting Snow Park in Zhangjiakou and at the Big Air Shougang in Beijing.
Prior to being named to Team Canada, all nominations are subject to approval by the Canadian Olympic Committee’s Team Selection Committee following its receipt of nominations by all National Sport Organizations.
*Since this release, 4 athletes have been named to the 2022 Canadian Olympic Snowboard Team for a new total of 23 Canadian athletes who will be competing in Beijing which can be found here.
MEDIA - DOWNLOAD RIGHTS CLEARED
MEDIA CONTACTS:
Rich Hegarty
Team Canada's Snowboard Media Attache
C: 604-966-7230
E: evpu.urtnegl@pnanqnfabjobneq.pn
Josh Su
Team Canada’s Press Operations Lead
C: 647-464-4060
E: wfh@bylzcvp.pn
