Elizabeth Hosking, a 24-year-old snowboarder from Longueuil, Que., made history by clinching her first-ever World Cup victory on Canadian soil in the women’s halfpipe event. Scoring 82.5 points on her initial run at WinSport’s superpipe in Calgary, she secured the top spot. Despite a fall on her second attempt, Hosking’s performance was enough to secure her triumph. Reflecting on her win, she expressed her excitement and gratitude for achieving this milestone at home.
Shaotong Wu of China took second place with a score of 77.25, followed by Isabelle Loetscher of Switzerland in third with 76 points. Hosking sealed her win with a front-side 900 maneuver during her first run. Other notable performances included Australia’s Valentino Guseli claiming victory in the men’s halfpipe event. Hosking, now aiming to refine her skills for the upcoming Olympics in Italy, is set to compete in the next World Cup event in Aspen, Colo.
The event in Calgary marked the third stop in the World Cup season, following competitions in China and Copper Mountain, Colo. Notably, the absence of key competitors like Chloe Kim, Sena Tomita of Japan, and Maddie Mastro of the U.S. provided an opportunity for Hosking to shine. The Canadian snowboarder expressed her determination to stay focused on her own performance amidst tough competition. Hosking’s success in Calgary has bolstered her confidence as she prepares for the challenges ahead in the upcoming Olympic Games.