The start of something big
Canadians miss podium, but are proud to compete in big air
PYEONGCHANG — Spencer O’Brien felt like women’s snowboarders were “robbed of an event” when the slopestyle competition was held in poor weather conditions earlier in the Olympics.
So, even though she was unable to win a medal in Thursday’s big air competition, she was thrilled that she and the other snowboarders were finally able to show what they truly can do in ideal conditions.
It was the first time women’s big air has been and Olympic event.
“Slopestyle definitely put a damper on things for us but I think big air made up for it,” O’Brien said after finishing ninth in the competition at Alpensia Ski Jumping Centre.
“The ladies definitely showed the world what we’re capable of and where women’s snowboarding is at. To just be a part of this final is really amazing to me. This was a big milestone.”
Spencer and fellow Canadian Laurie Blouin did not have their best days. Blouin finished last among the 12 riders and did not even attempt her third run because of a tailbone injury.
“It’s just a bruise on my bum,” said Blouin, a 21-yearold from Quebec City. “I think I was just too chill at the top and I couldn’t put one down. After falling on my first one, that was heavy for my bum.”
Austria’s Anna Gasser, who was the favourite in slopestyle but fell on both her runs in poor conditions, redeemed herself by winning the gold medal in big air.
She saved her best for last, scoring 96 on her third jump to sew up the gold medal.
“That was insane,” said Blouin, who won a silver medal in slopestyle. “Anna, she deserve it for sure. It’s so nice to see the girls doing this. It’s so sick.”
Jamie Anderson of the United States, the slopestyle champion, won the silver medal in big air, while Zoi Sadowski Synnott of New Zealand took the bronze.
O’Brien, a 30-year-old veteran snowboarder from Alert Bay, B.C., was emotional after her third run, but put on a brave face in the mixed zone.
“I’m pretty disappointed I couldn’t have put on my best,” she said.
“But it feels really good to have seen the inclusion of big air into the Olympics. I’m just so proud of these women and where we’ve taken it.”