Elizabeth Hosking made history as the first Canadian snowboarder to clinch a women’s World Cup halfpipe victory on Canadian snow. The 24-year-old athlete from Longueuil, Quebec, not only secured her inaugural World Cup triumph but also etched her name in the record books.
Scoring 82.5 points on her initial run out of two, Hosking’s performance reigned supreme in WinSport’s superpipe in Calgary, shining brightly under the night sky. Overjoyed by her achievement, she expressed her elation, describing the win as surreal and particularly meaningful on home turf.
Despite a fall during her second attempt to improve her score, Hosking’s lead remained unshaken until the end, leading to a jubilant celebration as she secured her spot at the top of the podium. Reflecting on the intense competition and nerves that came with the final moments, she emphasized the unique pressure of not knowing if she could maintain her lead.
Hosking’s journey to victory was marked by perseverance, having placed third in Calgary the previous year following a setback due to a concussion in 2023. Looking ahead, she aims to build on her success and confidence as she gears up for the upcoming Olympics, drawing motivation from her silver medal win at the 2023 world championship.
In the men’s halfpipe event, Australia’s Valentino Guseli claimed the top spot, followed by David Habluetzel from Switzerland in second place and Brazil’s Patrick Burgener securing the bronze. While Canadian men did not make it to the final round, Calgary’s Liam Gill emerged as the top Canadian finisher in 17th place.
The competition in Calgary marked the third World Cup event of the season, following earlier stops in China and Copper Mountain, Colorado. Notable absences included American star Chloe Kim and past champions Sena Tomita of Japan and Maddie Mastro from the U.S., creating an opportunity for Hosking to shine brightly in front of her home supporters.
Looking ahead to the next World Cup event in Aspen, Colorado, Hosking aims to fine-tune her skills in preparation for the highly anticipated Olympic Games in Milan and Turin, Italy. Emphasizing the competitive landscape in snowboarding, she remains focused on staying true to her style and abilities, recognizing that her best performance comes when she rides authentically.