Sports O’Dine a finalist at World Cup race in Austria
Meryeta O’Dine of Prince George and Zoe Bergermann of Erin, Ont., dug themselves an early Christmas present out of the snowy slopes of Montafon, Austria.
The Canadians captured the silver medal in a World Cup snowboard cross team event Sunday, finishing second to Chloe Trespeuch and Moenne Loccoz of France in the big final.
Russians Kristina Paul and Mariya Vasiltsova won the bronze medal.
O’Dine and Bergermann won their semifinal ahead of France 2, Austria 1 and USA 1 (a team that included defending world champion and World Cup points leader Lyndsey Jacobellis).
In the men’s team event, Kevin Hill of Vernon and Baptiste Brochu of Saguenay, Que., finished ninth. Spin won gold, with Austria 1 and France 1 the respective silver and bronze medalists.
O’Dine was a finalist in solo competition Saturday.
The 20-year-old from Prince George emerged from a pack of 43 women on a snowy day in Montafon, Austria and finished eighth overall.
O’Dine was second in her qualifying race, third in the semifinal round and fourth in the small final.
Ranked ninth in the world standings, O’Dine is the topranked Canadian as she attempts to qualify for the Olympic team for the first time in her career.
O’Dine was the only Canadian woman to advance to the final round. O’Dine has finished eighth or better in all four of the World Cup events so far this season.
She won the first race in August in La Parva, Chile, was fourth in September in Cerro Catedral, Argentina and was seventh last weekend in Val Thorens, France.
Michelle Moioli of Italy won a photo finish for gold, while Faye Gukini had to settle for silver. Nelly Moenne Loccoz of France claimed bronze.
In other Canadian results, Zoe Bergermann of Erin, Ont., was 13th, Tess Critchlow of Kelowna was 16th, Audrey McManiman of Saint-Ambroise-de-Kildare, Que. was 28th, Haili Moyer of Whistler was 33rd.
In the men’s event, Kevin Hill of Chilliwack was the top Canadian, finishing sixth. Jarryd Hughes of Australia won gold. Austrian Alessandro Haemmerle and Pierre Vaultier claimed silver and bronze respectively.
In other Canadian results, Eliot Grandin of Ste-Marie, Que., was 23rd, Baptiste Brochu of Saguenay, Que was 25th, Christopher Robanske of Calgary was 49th and Danny Bourgeois of Rosemère, Que., was 54th out of 73 starters.
The World Cup tour stops Thursday and Friday in Cervinia, Italy for individual events both days.