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It was an unexpected early end for Canada’s men’s ski cross team at the Milano Cortina Olympic Winter Games on Saturday in Livigno, Italy.
All four of Canada’s entries did not advance past the quarterfinals – including reigning World Cup Crystal Globe winner Reece Howden, who wasn’t shy about sharing his frustration with the conditions of the course in an interview with CBC ‘s Kelly VanderBeek.
“Honestly, like, the weather is ridiculous. It is a joke,” Howden said after the competition. “I bet you – I don’t know what the times are, but it’s gotta be, like, 10 to 15 seconds slower. It’s a completely different course.
“If I waited four years for this [event], I’ll wait for another four because this is a joke.”
Heavy snow complicated racing conditions, including slow areas outside of the main lip of the course and athletes were struggling to clear the jumps.
“It’s snowing so hard, and it’s just, the track is dead slow…Yeah, this is an absolute joke. I, honestly, at this point, I’m happy I’m not involved in this race, ’cause this is ridiculous. Like, this is not ski cross.,” Howden said.
After his elimination in the quarterfinals, Reece Howden from Chilliwack, B.C., says atheletes should not compete in these types of weather conditions.
“Olympics supposed to be the best of the best. You know, the peak of our sport. And like I said before, I’ll wait four more years, ’cause this is an absolute joke.”
The day couldn’t have started better for the 27-year-old from Cultus Lake, B.C., who posted the fastest time out of all competitors in the seeding round. Howden won his 1/8 final heat with ease, but things unravelled in his quarterfinal heat.
Howden got off to a good start and was in second place before he was crowded on a turn by Italy’s Federico Tomasoni. That caused the Canadian to lose speed which he could not make up, finishing fourth and ending his second Olympic appearance.
Toronto’s Kevin Drury was the one other Canadian racer to reach the quarters, finishing second in his 1/8 final heat before the 37-year-old also finished fourth in his quarterfinals heat.
Ottawa’s Jared Schmidt, 28, was second across the line in his 1/8 final heat, but was given a yellow card by officials and ranked as last (RAL). A visibly upset Schmidt smashed a ski pole in the finish area after learning of the penalty for contact from behind.
Gavin Rowell, of Prince George, B.C., 26, finished fourth in his 1/8 final and did not advance.
The event was won by Italy’s Simone Deromedis, Tomasoni took silver, and Switzerland’s Alex Fiva claimed bronze.
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