Dominique Maltais, the world’s best female snowboard cross racer, decimated the competition at the Canadian championship Saturday (April 9) at Lake Louise.
“It’s fun. After a world cup season, it’s always fun to race with the Canadian girls,” Maltais said.
Maltais, the winner of the snowboard cross Crystal Globe, given to the world’s best snowboard cross racer, simply blew away her younger competition, making short work of the Lake Louise course. The heavy favourite lived up to her advance billing as one of the fastest snowboarders on the planet, as her qualifying times the day before put her in the top five of the men’s speeds.
“I did a few runs with the guys. That’s the way I’ve been working all season,” Maltais said.
The final was no different. Maltais sized up her younger competitors and make quick work of their efforts. By the first corner, the race was essentially over.
“I’m a good glider and used to more technical courses. This one was a little easier,” Maltais said.
The win was the perfect bookend to an incredible season for Maltais, who won three world cup medals, bronze at world championships and the Crystal Globe of snowboard cross.
Carle Brenneman of Whistler finished second behind Maltais. Coming off a fifth-place finish at a world cup race in Switzerland the week before, Brenneman said she’s slowly catching up to Maltais.
“Racing behind Dom, I’m learning a lot of stuff,” Brenneman said. “My goal was to be in the finals and keep up with Dom. I accomplished that so I’m really happy.”
Her speed has increased, and she says she’s been getting closer to the top snowboarders in the world all season.
“I feel before I was way behind, but now in every race I’m gaining a second or two.”
In her first race at Lake Louise, Brenneman had a collision at the top of the race, but she’s usually content to sit back and pick her spots.
“I like to get in there and be the mellow person that comes from behind,” Brenneman said.
The races wrapped up the season for the Canadian snowboard cross team.
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