Last Laps and Podiums
The past few weeks have been a whirlwind for Canada’s snowboard teams, with athletes racing across World Cups, finals at home, and major international events. Here’s a look at how each discipline finished off the season.
BATAILLE ROYALE: BICHON ON THE PODIUM
EVAN BICHON | PHOTO: JULIA THRIFT
The Snowboardcross team capped the season at the Bataille Royale in Mont‑Sainte‑Anne, the final stop on the FIS Snowboardcross World Cup circuit. All six Canadian riders — Audrey McManiman, Evan Bichon, Colby Graham, James Savard-Fergusson, Liam Moffatt, and Éliot Grondin — advanced to the finals, thrilling fans on home snow.
Evan Bichon stole the spotlight, earning his first World Cup podium with a thrilling third-place finish.
“I’m beyond happy to be on the podium in third place in Canada, and for it to be my first one, especially this year, was super special,” - Evan Bichon
Colby Graham notched his first top‑8 World Cup result, narrowly missing the final in a photo-finish semifinal, while Audrey McManiman recorded a season best finish of 11th, showcasing remarkable consistency. For Olympic silver medallist Éliot Grondin, the day ended in disappointment as food poisoning kept him out of the finals — a tough close to a season of highs.
A PODIUM FIRST FOR CANADIAN ALPINE
ARNAUD GAUDET + AURELIE MOISAN | PHOTO: FIS
In Winterberg, Germany, the final Parallel Slalom races on March 21–22 produced history for the Canadian alpine team. Arnaud Gaudet and Aurélie Moisan finished third in the small final, marking Canada’s first-ever mixed team World Cup podium. The duo had only raced together once before this season, finishing 15th in Bad Gastein, making this achievement even more remarkable.
“I can’t believe it, to be honest. I dreamed of it all season. I knew it was reachable, but I always made little mistakes. So finally, to have it happen in the team with Arnaud is amazing. I am so proud of our riding,” - Aurelie Moisan.
PERSONAL BEST FOR GEREMIA
FELICITY GEREMIA | PHOTO: FIS
The halfpipe team wrapped the season with two finals events: the Snow League Finals in Laax, Switzerland, on March 19–21, and the FIS World Cup Finals in Silvaplana, Switzerland, scheduled for March 28. Felicity delivered the best halfpipe result of her career at Silvaplana, finishing fifth, while Ryan Vo came in 17th, both closing the season on a note of growth and momentum for next year.
WEATHER CANCELS SEASON FINALS
TRUTH SMITH | PHOTO: BEN GIRARDI
The season came to an abrupt end for men’s and women’s slopestyle at the Silvaplana World Cup Finals, cancelled due to weather. With the FIS competition season wrapped, riders are turning their attention to side quests: The Grind Series brings urban snowboard action back to Quebec City on April 4 and Whistler on April 11, featuring some familiar names ready to entertain fans and keep the season rolling in style.
