CALGARY-Canadian Freestyle skier Brendan Mackay’s first world cup win was memorable Thursday night when the 24-year-old did it on his home turf.
“I’m excited to do it on my home halfpipe, where I learned to ski,” Mackay said with a smile after scoring 97.00 points in his third race at the fis Freeski Halfpipe competition.
With the wind chill looking like minus-30C at the WinSport venue, Mackay supplanted Alex Ferriera. In his last race, the American scored a 94.80 ahead of Simon D’Artois of Whistler, BC (94.40).
Calgary’s Noah Bowman was fourth with 90.20.
Rachael Karker of Canada won bronze in the Women’s event. Eileen Gu of China won her second consecutive World Cup victory and Hanna Faulhaber of the United States took silver.
Mackay said the experience of his team-mates – D’Artois and Bowman are both 29 – has really helped his development.
“I’ve been on the Canadian team for seven years and Noah and Simon have been on the team the whole time and have been mentors to me and helped me a lot to learn stuff and navigate different things in life,” he said.
Mackay finished third in the first World Cup of the Season, Ferriera Won gold.
D’Artois said Canada’s future in the Sport was rosy as Mackay rose to new heights.
“He’s awesome,” D’Artois said. “He’s just going to tear it up. He has done it very well this year and the child has a promising future.”
Together they squeeze each other.
“I’m at the end of my career and with Brendan on the rise, it’s invigorating,” D’Artois said. “It’s hard to compete with someone who is so consistent and so good and nails everything.
“But I couldn’t be happier for him. He does everything right.”
With just over a month to go until the Beijing Winter Olympics, it’s a good sign for Canada’s medal hopes.
“I really hope we maintain that momentum,” Mackay said. “We are all very excited and we are just trying to have as much fun as possible at each competition and bring momentum to the Olympics.”
Karker, of Guelph, Ont., came through their last race to reach the Podium with a score of 90.20.
“I knew I had to give it my all in my last race,” she said. “I’m super motivated. This is just the beginning and I am looking forward to my next challenge.”
Karker finished second to Gu at the inaugural World Cup at Colorado Copper Mountain earlier this month.
“Before the Olympics, I think the ability to handle pressure is the biggest thing I could improve on, and I’m really, really happy with my progress this Season,” Gu said.
Gu had taken first place before his last race, but managed to improve his score with 96.80. Faulhaber was second with 92.80.
Amy Fraser was Sixth and Fellow Calgarian Cassie Sharpe Seventh.
Another freeski Halfpipe world Cup is scheduled for Saturday at the competition known as the Snow Rodeo. Bales of hay were parked at the finish line and white cowboy hats were awarded to the medalists.