Last season, Aurélie Moisan had the chance to participate in her first Alpine snowboarding World Cups at the very end of the campaign. This year, the 18-year-old athlete did not have to wait as long to enter the World Cup, having just taken part in the first two events of the season.
On Saturday, in Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy, Moisan finished 24th in qualifying for the parallel giant slalom, just over 2 seconds behind the top-16 qualifying for the elimination races.
“It was difficult at the start of the day. The girl next to me fell from the start and I was a little distracted for the rest of the descent. The second round was really better and I’m quite happy with my day,” Moisan told Sportcom.
“I am mainly in Europe to participate in European Cups, so to be in the World Cup is really extra for me. I don’t want to put pressure on myself and I want to have fun,” she said.
On the men’s side, Arnaud Gaudet obtained the best result among Quebecers with a 26th place. Jules Lefebvre finished 35th while Justin Carpentier was disqualified during his first descent.
When she found herself at the top of the track at the start of the day, Aurélie Moisan admits to having had a little thought for the next Winter Olympic Games which will be presented on this same course in 2026.
“I’m pretty sure all the athletes thought about that today (Saturday). It’s a legendary place, it’s super beautiful and it’s special to think that we might be able to come back here in two years for an even more grandiose event. »
Moisan took 23rd place in the parallel giant slalom held Thursday in Carezza, also in Italy.
Before participating in these two World Cups on Italian soil this week, the Quebecer made a stop in Germany on December 8 and 9 to begin her season with two races on the European Cup circuit, winning a medal. bronze on its first outing.
The Canadian women’s alpine snowboard team has some veterans of the circuit in its ranks, including Ontarian Megan Farrell, Olympian at the Beijing Games in 2022. Aurélie Moisan takes advantage of every moment spent with her to learn as much as possible .
“I learn more every day. Megan is an incredible model and I had the chance to train with her over the summer. It helps a lot to have girls like her by my side, the atmosphere is really good within the team, it’s extremely pleasant,” said the Quebecer.
Moisan will compete in other European Cups starting next week when she will be in action for two parallel slalom events in Moninec, Czechia. She will then return to Quebec to embark on the North American circuit in January.
“I’m not going to the Davos World Cup next week so I can focus on the European Cups. There’s a World Cup in Canada in February, I definitely want to take part in it and I’m going to give it my all! Otherwise, I’m obviously aiming for other podiums in the European Cup or in the Nor-Am,” she concluded.
