BATAILLE ROYALE FIS SNOWBOARD CROSS WORLD CUP: THE ULTIMATE SHOWDOWN RETURNS TO MONT-SAINTE-ANNE
- Mont-Sainte-Anne to host FIS Snowboard Cross World Cup Tour Finals.
- Featuring back-to-back individual World Cup races throughout the weekend of March 23rd-24th.
- Quebec’s very own Éliot Grondin on the cusp of claiming a historic Crystal Globe on home soil.
- An action-packed experience for all ages/families not to be missed - Spectate courseside from the Corona Beer Garden or designated viewing zones.
Canada, get ready for the return of the high-flying, adrenaline-pumping action of the Bataille Royale. The countdown is on; less than one month to go until Snowboarding’s ultimate showdown of racing ignites Mont-Sainte-Anne. The FIS Snowboard Cross World Cup returns on March 22nd-24th with a weekend full of head-to-head racing drama. This prestigious event, taking place on the storied slopes of Quebec, will feature the world's fastest Snowboard Cross riders as they battle it out for the final two World Cup podiums of the season and the sought-after Crystal Globe trophies awarded to the overall winners of the 2023-2024 World Cup season.
The event offers a unique opportunity for fans to celebrate Quebec's snowboarding stars, get up close with their heroes, and immerse themselves in the thrilling world of World Cup snowboard action. Featuring a format of two individual FIS Snowboard Cross World Cup starts held over the weekend, Bataille Royale offers fans double the action and excitement. Spectators can watch the competition from various viewing areas, (either from the slopes with a valid lift ticket or free to attend as foot traffic), or enjoy the lively Corona Beer Garden at the base, with live streaming and commentary from dual Olympian Dominique Maltais to follow the action in real-time, it’s sure to be a breathtaking spectacle.
Quebec's rich snowboarding history and Olympic success story make it the ideal setting for this world-class season finale event. The province's legacy of producing top athletes, such as Dominique Maltais and now Éliot Grondin, is set to continue at the Bataille Royale.
On a potentially historic weekend of racing, the spotlight will be firmly on Grondin. This year's event, taking place just an hour away from his hometown of St-Marie de Beauce, QC, presents a unique opportunity on home soil for the overall World Cup points leader. The Quebecer has been in truly imperious form this season as he recently claimed his 4th world cup win, a third victory in successive races and is on remarkable streak of featuring on the podium at every race this season. With his rivals throwing down the gauntlet attempting to usurp the local hero, can he hold off the challenge and become the first Canadian male to ever claim the Crystal Globe in Snowboard Cross?
Joining Grondin is a dynamic Canadian team, including Liam Moffatt, Evan Bichon, Colby Graham, Tristan Bell, and Meryeta O’Dine. This ambitious squad is ready to take on the world's best, supported by emerging talents from provincial development programs such as Anthony Shelly and Hannah Turkington who recently excelled at the Youth Olympic Games. Keep an eye on the future stars from Quebec, including Rose Savard-Ferguson and Oliver Gagné, who have shown huge potential and are part of the vibrant and thriving snowboarding community in the region. Their unique backgrounds and connections to the sport add a compelling narrative to the event, highlighting the deep roots and community spirit that underpin snowboarding in Quebec. The Bataille Royale will be a proving ground for these athletes as they face off against the international elite in Snowboard Cross racing.
The 2023 Bataille Royale was acclaimed as the best Snowboard Cross course on the world tour, and this year's event is set to build on that legacy. The course, designed by the industry leading Arena Snowparks team, promises to deliver non-stop excitement with its challenging features that reward bold and strategic riding. The competition will be fierce as athletes navigate through complex obstacles, showcasing the exhilarating discipline of Snowboard Cross to fans and spectators. The stage is set for an unforgettable showpiece of snowboarding excellence at Mont-Sainte-Anne.
“On behalf of Canada Snowboard, I am thrilled to announce the return of the Bataille Royale Snowboard Cross World Cup at Mont-Sainte-Anne in Quebec. It is an exciting opportunity to host the World Tour finals in one of Canada's most beautiful and historically rich areas, known for its vibrant snowboarding community and prolific athlete development pathway. This event is made possible through the support of our partners, FIS, the Government of Canada, the Government of Quebec, the City of Quebec and its neighbouring regions, Mont-Sainte-Anne and valued local stakeholders.
Bringing this World Cup to Quebec not only showcases our national team as they compete in front of a home crowd, but also affords tremendous opportunity to our up-and-coming development athletes. In collaboration with Quebec Snowboard, we look forward to delivering this world class event to the region and provide a platform for the success of our Canadian team athletes.”
Dustin Heise - CEO Canada Snowboard
"It is with great pleasure and enthusiasm that the Association Québec Snowboard welcomes to Quebec soil this major event, and what's more, the grand finale of the 2023/2024 FIS Snowboard Cross World Cup circuit. Once again this year, we'll have the opportunity to applaud our local star Éliot Grondin, who will be putting all his skills to the test to win his very first Crystal Globe, just a stone's throw from his birthplace and in front of his biggest fans. Ironically, Dominique Maltais, Olympic medallist and the woman who convinced Éliot to take up this discipline during a World Cup presentation also presented in Quebec City, will have the chance to comment on this highly captivating event and, let's hope, to see her idol achieve his ultimate goal.
For the Association Québec Snowboard, hosting this major event at Mont-Sainte-Anne has huge benefits for our association and the development of our sport in Quebec. Just as in Éliot's case, hundreds of youngsters will be closely following his prowess and salivating at the prospect of one day reaching this level of excellence. The media impact of such an event in Quebec is undeniable for the development of snowboarding here. Together with Canada Snowboard, we are honored to be involved in the organization and staging of this event, to enable many of our members, athletes, officials and volunteers to enjoy an enriching experience at the highest level.
We look forward to welcoming you to this event, and invite you to come out in large numbers to cheer on and support our athletes during this exciting weekend. In the same vein, we wish Éliot the best of luck in his quest for the 2023/2024 Crystal Globe."
Guy Poupart, CPA Quebec Snowboard
For more information and updates about the Bataille Royale Snowboard Cross FIS World Cup click here
