Canadians stoked to be part of history
PYEONGCHANG Spencer O’Brien felt like female snowboarders were “robbed of an event” when the Olympic slopestyle competition was held in poor weather conditions.
So even though she was unable to win a medal in Thursday’s big air competition, she was thrilled she and the other snowboarders were finally able to show what they can do in ideal conditions.
It was the first time women’s big air has been an 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-year-old 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 of her runs, redeemed herself by winning the big air event.
She saved her best for last, scoring96onherthirdjumptosewup the gold medal.
“That was insane,” said Blouin, who won silver in slopestyle. “Anna, she deserve it for sure. It’s so nice to see the girls doing this.”
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 from Courtenay, 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.”