Livia Kaiser and the Thrilling Snowboard Cross at Milano Cortina 2026

The Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games in Livigno, Italy, witnessed a heart-stopping finish in the men’s snowboard cross final. Canadian Éliot Grondin, a reigning world champion, came within a hair’s breadth of securing gold, ultimately claiming silver by a mere five-hundredths of a second. This wasn’t the first time Grondin has experienced such a close call, having missed gold by two-hundredths in Beijing.

A Race Decided by Milliseconds

The race against Austria’s Alessandro Hämmerle was a nail-biter, unfolding on a challenging course with rolling fog. Grondin, representing Sainte-Marie, Que., was heavily favored to win, potentially delivering Canada’s first gold medal of the games. However, he had to settle for silver, adding to his bronze from the mixed team event in 2022. Despite the disappointment, Grondin remained positive.

“We came here for gold, but at the same time I rode as good as I could today,” Grondin stated after the race. “I had fun. Silver it is, and I can be happy with my week.”

Grondin’s Journey to the Final

Throughout the heats, Grondin showcased his skill, consistently jumping out front and expertly navigating the 1,100-metre course. Frenchman Aidan Chollet, the fastest man of the day in the heats, posed a significant challenge. Grondin strategically positioned himself behind Chollet early in the race, conserving energy and preparing for a final push.

“I didn’t want to be in the lead. Especially today with the weather, I think it was really hard to lead top to bottom,” Grondin explained. “I saw Hämmerle riding behind me and it worked really well. So I thought: OK, Aidan’s always really fast from the start, so I can just sit behind him and hopefully have some speed for the bottom.”

A Close Call with Hämmerle

The final stretch saw a near collision between Grondin and Hämmerle, with Grondin maneuvering to the left, creating space for the Austrian. For a fleeting moment, Grondin edged ahead, but Hämmerle quickly regained the lead, ultimately crossing the finish line victorious. Jakob Dusek of Austria secured the bronze medal.

Sportsmanship and Respect

The atmosphere after the race was remarkably sportsmanlike. Hämmerle expressed admiration for Grondin’s performance, acknowledging how close the competition was. “I was pretty happy seeing (Grondin) in my quarterfinals heat,” Hämmerle said. “It was crazy, being this tight. Kind of sorry somehow.”

Grondin, too, accepted the outcome with grace, recognizing Hämmerle’s superior performance in the final moments. “By then, with the speed of Alessandro, I didn’t think there was any way that I could catch him, but I got a little bit in his draft. I played my card today. He played his card better, that’s all.”

Course Conditions and Future Improvements

The riders also shared their thoughts on the course conditions, noting its slower pace and lack of significant airtime. Grondin suggested improvements for future events, advocating for more challenging jumps and a more technical track. You can find more information about the Olympics at the official Olympics website.

Despite the narrow defeat, Éliot Grondin’s performance at the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics was a testament to his skill and determination, solidifying his position as a top contender in the world of snowboard cross. The competition highlighted the incredible athleticism and sportsmanship within the sport.