By james art 
LAC-BEAUPORT, Que. — Canadian freestyle skier Louis Irving reached his first World Cup podium in two years with a silver medal in aerial riding on home soil Saturday.
The 29-year-old from Quebec City collected 102.50 points in the super final at Le Relais Ski Resort.
China’s Chi Guangpu won gold (124.00) and Christopher Lillis of the United States took bronze (85.40).
It was Irving’s first podium since winning bronze at the World Cup in Ruka, Finland, in December 2022.
Irving attempted a difficult jump with a five-spin and his gamble paid off, although he fell on the landing – as did four other participants in the super final.
“I feel great. We took a risk, went all-in with a five-fold flip in the super final,” he said with a big smile. “I tried it and even though I didn’t stick the landing, it shows it was the right decision.
“I didn’t come here to aim for second or third place, that’s why I chose it.”
The result was especially satisfying for Irving after two years plagued by multiple injuries.
“Last year was pretty tough, especially coming back from injuries and everything,” he said. “I’m really happy to get the podium so early in the season, it gives me energy for the rest of the year.”
Irving could secure a ticket to the 2026 Milan-Cortina Olympics. on Sunday if he finishes on the podium again.
“While some say they’re not thinking about (Olympic qualification), I am. I know very well that the ultimate goal is to score a hat trick at the Olympics,” said Irving, who won bronze in the mixed team event at the 2022 Beijing Olympics.
“One step down and tomorrow (Sunday) I’ll do the second.”
Alexandre Duchesne, also of Quebec City, finished fifth with 78.28 points.
Earlier, Marion Thenot of Sherbrooke, Quebec, placed 13th in the women’s aerial qualification, just 0.26 points away from a spot in the final.
“That makes it even worse,” she said. “If I had at least deleted, I would have been less disappointed. It’s disappointing.”
The 24-year-old was bedridden by a severe virus earlier in the week and is dealing with a knee injury sustained during last week’s World Cup qualifier in Lake Placid, New York
Thénault needed to reach the podium in both individual events this weekend to secure Olympic qualification. She will have more opportunities to qualify later in the season.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published on January 25, 2025.
Alexander Geoffrion-McInnis, The Canadian Press