Ontario’s [R61R, Blue Mountain Resorts] finished up an exciting week of FIS World Cup competition, hosting Ski Cross and LG Snowboardcross events.  Crowds for both final events were estimated to be around 4,000, according to spokesperson Collin Matanowitsch. 

The Ski Cross finals took place on Feb. 3 and LG Snowboardcross finals yesterday, Feb. 8.

Canadian spectators had a lot to cheer about.  20 countries competed for the Ski Cross title, and the Canadians dominated the podium.  Canada team members Brady Lemon and Christopher Del Bosco placed first and second in the men’s event.  Andreas Matt from Austria and Armin Niederer from Sweden were third and fourth. 

On the women’s side Canadian Marielle Thompson from Whistler took top honors with an electrifying performance.  Katrin Ofner, Austria; Katrin Mueller, Sweden; and, Marielle Berger Sabbatel, France, followed in order. 

It was the third time for Blue Mountain to host the World Cup Ski Cross event, but it was the first time that they had hosted an LG Snowboardcross World Cup event.

Canadian women responded well with Dominique Maltais thrilling the crowd with a first place finish followed by teammate Maelle Ricker picking up third place.  Alexandria Jelova of Bulgaria took second, and Yuka Fujimori finishing fourth. 

“I’m really happy with my finish.  I’ve been pushing myself to reach this level for the last few years,” said Maltais after the race.  “Blue Mountain is nice and the village is great.  I think they did a great job with the course.”

On the men’s side Pierre Vaultier from France took top honors.  German David Speiser was second, and last year’s X Games Snowboardcross gold medal winner Nick Baumgartner, from Iron River, Mich, took third.  Alex Pullin from Austria was fourth.

Blue Mountain, with a 720-foot vertical drop is the largest snow sports resort in the eastern Great Lakes.  There’s an Intrawest village, 36 trails ranging from beginner to double black diamond, two terrain parks, a super pipe, and 14 lifts, including four high-speed express chairs.