By james art 
Photo: The Canadian Press
Lac-Beauport, Que. – The freestyle Canadian skier Louis Irving has reached his first podium for the World Cup for two years with a silver medal in air riding on home ground on Saturday.
The 29-year-old man from Quebec City scored 102.50 points in the super finals at Le Relais ski resort.
Chinese Chi Guangpu won the gold (124.00) and Christopher Lilis of the United States took bronze (85.40).
It was the first podium for Irving after winning the World Cup bronze in the Ruka, Finland, in December 2022.
Irving tried a difficult five -rotation jump and betting it paid off, although it fell when landing – as four other participants in the Super Finals did.
“I feel great. We took the risk, we came in with a five-fold turn in the super finals, “he said with a wide smile.” I tried it, and although I did not hold the landing, it shows that it was the right solution.
“I didn’t come here to strive for second or third place, so I chose it.”
The result was particularly satisfactory for Irving after two years, tormented by many injuries.
“Last year it was quite difficult, especially when I returned after injuries and everything else,” he said. “I am really happy to have taken the podium so early in the season, it gives me energy for the rest of the year.”
Irving can get a ticket to the Milan-Cortina Olympics in 2026 on Sunday if he finished again on the podium.
“While some say they don’t think about (Olympic qualification), I’m. I know very well that the ultimate goal is to get a hat trick into the Olympics, “said Irving, who won bronze in the mixed team at the Beijing Olympics in 2022.
“One step down and tomorrow (Sunday) I’ll do the second.”
Alexander Duchen, also from Quebec City, finished fifth with 78.28 points.
Earlier, Marion Teno of Sherbruck, Quebec, was ranked 13th in the qualifications of women in air riding, remaining only 0.26 points from a place in the final.
“That makes things even worse,” she said. “If I had deleted at least, I would have been less disappointed. This is disappointing. “
The 24-year-old was put on a bed of a heavy virus earlier this week and coped with a knee injury obtained during the World Cup qualifications last week in Lake Passid, New York
Thénault had to reach the podium in both individual competitions this weekend to secure an Olympic qualification. It will have more opportunities to qualify later in the season.
This report of The Canadian Press was first published on January 25, 2025.