SAINT-COME | If Michel Hamelin had flown to Milan-Cortina on Friday morning for the Olympics, he would have been accompanied by Maja Schwienhammer and Mikael Kingsbury in the exciting freestyle ski mogul competition.
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But with four races left on the World Cup calendar before the Olympic break, everyone on the Canadian team is keeping a knife in their teeth to keep up with the two stars. A further six places, three for men and three for women, are still available according to the maximum quotas in force in the regulations.
Since the moguls discipline is under the extensive acrobatic auspices of the International Ski Federation (FIS), the national committee cannot invite more than 30 athletes. Therefore, due to results in other disciplines such as acrobatics and snowboarding, the parameters are constantly changing.
Viel in advance
Having topped the podium in Ruka, Finland, during the first competition of the season, getting a ticket to Italy is just a formality for Julien Viel. However, he must continue his good work and show good results.
Elliott Vaillancourt is among those expected to make it big in two events in Val-Saint-Côme and two others in Waterville in New Hampshire next week. Finished at 20e place in the general classification last year, ahead of Sam Cordell (22e) and Gabriel Dufresne (25e), all of whom are flirting with the final third of this season's top 30. Berkeley Brown's women's stakes are also huge.
Apart from achieving good results, they will all have to cross their fingers to see their name above the line of the maximum 30 athletes accepted by the National Olympic Committee.
Top 8 missions
“Everyone is on edge and ready for this challenge in Saint-Côme,” Hamelin said. Anything is possible, because there are four competitions ahead. It's important for everyone to be at their best this weekend. My team has a knife in its teeth.”
MARTIN ALARY / JOURNAL DE MONTS
“To stand out from the crowd and get closer to the selection, you need at least two tops. Otherwise, with three top 16s, nothing can be certain, since other athletes in other disciplines may pass,” Hamelin analyzed the complexity of the quotas that must be met.
Hamelin wants his team to run well and do well. “It will be a time to confront other countries. We are ready and it will be a good show.”
