Eliot Grondin, the Canadian Olympic silver medalist from Sainte-Marie, Quebec, had an incredible weekend, clinching two gold medals at the World Cup snowboard cross events held in Beidahu, China. Competing fiercely, Grondin dominated both competitions, placing first on Saturday and again on Sunday, solidifying his standing as one of the top athletes in the sport.
On Saturday, Grondin triumphed over Austria's Alessandro Haemmerle, the silver medalist from the 2022 Olympic Winter Games, and France's Merlin Surget, who took home the bronze. His performance was remarkable, as he won the eighth heat of the first round, followed by victories in both the quarterfinal and semifinal heats.
Turning to Sunday, Grondin did not let his momentum wane. He once again showcased his prowess by finishing first, outpacing Germany's Leon Ulbricht and France's Loan Bozzolo, who claimed silver and bronze, respectively. His successful completion of all heats was pivotal, as he won the first heat, the quarterfinal, and the semifinal heat on this day.
With these latest victories, Grondin has now accumulated 21 World Cup medals, which include 12 golds, five silvers, and four bronzes. His standout performances have put him at the forefront of the World Cup standings with 250 points, far surpassing Jakob Dusek of Austria, who holds second place with 144 points.
Grondin's recent successes come as he gears up for the 2026 Olympic Winter Games set to be hosted by Milan and Cortina d'Ampezzo, where his recent form will likely build his confidence as he prepares for another shot at Olympic glory.
Meanwhile, Francis Jobin, another impressive Canadian snowboarder, also celebrated victory at the World Cup event held recently in Aspen, Colorado. The 26-year-old athlete scored 79.30 points to win the slopestyle event, overcoming formidable competitors, including China’s Yiming Su and American Sean Fitzsimons.
Jobin had previously recorded his best slopestyle finish as fourth but faced challenges during qualification, landing seventh. His unexpected victory was marked by near-perfect execution as he navigated the rails and executed complex tricks, including a switch backside double rodeo 1260 nosegrab.
Though Jobin said the win was unexpected, he felt motivated to take home gold, emphasizing the thrill of such competition. Liam Brearley from Orillia, Ontario, followed Jobin closely, finishing fifth, with other Canadian athletes including Mark McMorris and Cameron Spalding rounding out the final rankings with 15th and 16th place finishes, respectively.
The success of both Grondin and Jobin highlights the growing reputation of Canadian snowboarders on the global stage, showcasing their potential as they eye future competitions and possibilities for medals at the Olympic level.
These achievements not only uplift Grondin and Jobin but also signify the strength and skill present within Canadian snowboarding, paving the way for upcoming athletes and enhancing the nation’s profile within winter sports.