FREESTYLE:

Pouliot-Cavanagh, Gagnon podium in Nor-Am moguls finale at Killington

Feb. 27, 2011 — CFSA 

KILLINGTON, Vermont — The Nor-Am moguls circuit finished up Sunday with a dual moguls event and two podiums for Canada. Fifteen centimeters of fresh snow on the course meant variable and challenging conditions which, combined with the frenetic nature of head-to-head moguls competition, made for some very exciting skiing and spectacular crashes.

At the end of the day, the USA’s Bradley Wilson was victorious in the men’s division, with Canadians Simon Pouliot-Cavanagh and Marc-Antoine Gagnon earning the silver and bronze medals, respectively.

Pouliot-Cavanagh, said he pushed his limits in Sunday’s event. “I was skiing on adrenaline and testosterone today. I went way faster than I expected. I think we were traveling at about 60 kilometres per hour in finals.”

Pouliot-Cavangh won every dual until his final showdown with Wilson. “Unfortunately I went too big on my first big back flip and slapped back on my landing. I jumped right back up and kept going, but it wasn’t enough to win.”

Pouliot-Cavanagh, who also earned the bronze medal in the Grand Prix, mused about his rookie season on the Canadian national team. “I’m pretty stoked about my season. There were ups and downs for sure, but overall I reached some of my goals and I’m heading to Sweden next week for the World Cup, where I hope I can reach some more.”

For Gagnon, the only dual he lost was to Pouliot-Cavanagh. “I had a nasty crash on that run. I was going super-fast and there were big ruts. I had a bit too much forward pressure in the middle section and crashed headfirst into a mogul. Luckily it was soft because it could have been painful.”

Gagnon went on to beat American Zak Watkins in the small final.

Watkins had previously knocked out Canadians Eddie Hicks, who finished in 10th, and Arndaud Laurin-Landry, who, after qualifying first, landed in fifth position. Hugo Blanchette of Ile d’Orleans also made finals and finished 14th.

Hicks was disappointed with his performance but excited to take the Nor-Am Grand Prix, an accomplishment that also guarantees him a spot at the FIS World Cup Finals in Voss, Norway, in March.

The Americans swept the podium in women’s action. KC Oakley took the top spot, and the overall Grand Prix championship. She was joined on the podium by Lane Stonlitzner and Whitney Henceroth in second and third, respectively.

It was a rough day for the Canadian women. The top finisher was Alexandra Dufresne, who, after qualifying third, ended up fifth for the day. “I had a good start, but a bad finish,” said Dufresne, referring to the fact that in quarterfinals she went off the top jump backseat and ended up hitting her head on the back of the jump.

“I’m OK, but my neck will be sore tomorrow,” she said.

Dufresne had her best career season. “I think I’m finally pushing out of my comfort zone a little, that’s the thing that’s been missing for me. I’m really excited about working hard this summer.”

Maxime Dufour-Lapointe finished the day in a disappointing 11th spot but took home the silver medal in the Grand Prix standings. The only other Canadian woman to make the 16-woman final was Katrine Bazinet, who was seventh.

Freestyle moguls action continues on March 11 and 12 with the FIS World Cup in Are, Sweden.