Val Saint-Côme WC 2014 Report
Val Saint-Côme (CAN) finally overcame some challenging weather conditions including heavy rain before producing some spectacular aerials for the 2014 aerial World Cup as conditions improved throughout the day.
Once again in the ladies event, it looked as if China was having it all their own way as they swept to the first four positions in qualification. However, they had no comeback for a resurgent Lydia Lassila (AUS) who took the lead in Final-1 and eventually won the event with a superlative display of triple somersaults. Nina Li (CHN) had to make do with 2nd and teammate Zin Xhang (CHN) 3rd, as another Aussie Samantha Wells finished 4th.
In the men’s event, home snow and a cheering fan club were not enough to lift local hero Travis Gerrits (CAN) into the final. A touch-back on landing left him languishing in 16th place and heading for an early bath. That was a fate also suffered by Deer Valley Super-Finalist Jonathon Lillis (USA) who despite cleanly landing a very good bFdfF, narrowly missed the cut and ended up in 13th place. Having seen video of his jump, I would tend to agree that he was judged harshly.
With so many competitors looking to secure a place in Sochi, the standard of jumping was incredibly high and after qualification it was Anton Kushnir (BLR) who was on top of the pile, with Ukrainian, Russian and Swiss skiers holding the Chinese at bay. In an unusual turn of events, China only managed to get two men through to finals.
There was some disappointment in the results for the Brits Harry Gillam (34th) and Lloyd Wallace (32nd) but they still found plenty to be cheerful about as they continue to gain experience by competing with the world’s best. The challenging conditions require skill and experience to overcome and having only one jump to produce your hardest tricks is daunting, so every day is a learning day for the boys. Harry was unfortunate to miss his take off for his bLFF, having to puck and lose form, he lofted it way down the landing and was unable to ski away cleanly. Starting a little later in the competition, the Kicker was rather slushy for Lloyd meaning he had to work his bdFF and didn’t ski out cleanly. Lloyd was still very happy to have performed his new jump in competition for the first time.
With the window of opportunity for Sochi about to close, none of the British Aerial skiers have managed to qualify for a place at the games. It means disappointment for Harry and Lloyd but they are now excellently placed to peak for the 2018 games in Pyeonchang, Korea
Lloyd’s father Robin, who was there to support the guys summed it up:
Things were shaken up again in Final-1 as Mac Bohonnon (USA) surprised even himself by taking the lead, with Christopher Lambert (SUI) in 2nd, Zhongquing Liu (CHN) 3rd and Dave Morris (AUS) making it to Final-2 in 4th place. In the end it was Zhongquing Liu who managed to take the top step of the podium, with Mac Bohonnon delighted to secure 2nd with bLFF and Dave Morris in 3rd. I think you’d have to go back quite a few years to see when a Lay-Full-Full last made it onto the podium in the men’s event. It proves that clever, tactical jumping can make all the difference with the new finals format.
Harry, Lloyd and Robin have now moved on to Lake Placid (USA) for the last World Cup event before Sochi.
Harry with coach Zac Amidan in VSC
Video highlights of the event
Links to the full FIS results
World Cup Val Saint-Côme (CAN) Ladies’ Results
World Cup Val Saint-Côme (CAN) Men’s Results