Vernon’s own Elena Gaskell is ready to hit the X Games slopes.
“The X Games are undeniably one of the most hotly anticipated events for slopestyle and halfpipe skiers,” said Dominique Ladouceur, manager of athlete relations.
This year, the Canadian delegation of 10 athletes is heading to Aspen, where the action takes place from Jan. 24-27. The competition will be the last one to determine which athletes will be selected for the team heading to the World Championships in Park City, United States.
The action gets underway on Thursday at 12 p.m. with the men’s slopestyle eliminations, showcasing Alex Beaulieu-Marchand, Evan McEachran, Teal Harle and Phil Langevin in his first X Games start.
“It’s a sure bet all eyes will be on McEachran, who got a strong start to the season with his first career win at the Dew Tour. We can also expect the usual feats of prowess from Beaulieu-Marchand, who really knows how to wow a crowd. Same is to be expected from Phil Langevin who clinched his first World Cup podium in Font Romeu two weeks ago.”
The afternoon continues with the halfpipe events featuring Cassie Sharpe, who won the bronze last year, and the young Rachael Karker, who struck gold at the Dew Tour. Simon d’Artois and Noah Bowman will represent the men’s side for Canada.
On Friday, the always popular Big Air events take the spotlight for the women’s final and the men’s elimination, along with the women’s slopestyle final.
“We’ll be watching Elena Gaskell in her first Big Air participation. What many consider the mecca of freeskiing just might yield a victory for Gaskell, if her recent results are anything to go by.”
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The weekend wraps up with the men’s Big Air and slopestyle finals. Two Canadians – McEachran and Beaulieu-Marchand – are doing the Big Air this year.
“Tune in and join us for what promises to be a very exciting spectacle.”
parker.crook@vernonmorningstar.com
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