Canadian teen captures 1st career World Cup aerials win
Quebec City’s Alexandre Duchaine landed his first men’s Aerials World Cup win in style on Saturday.
The 19-year-old posted a triple back somersault with five twists, a move he hadn’t performed in more than two years, to take gold.
Duchaine tallied 102.57 points to edge American Connor Curran (102.22). Qi Guangpu of China earned bronze (100.81).
“This year is the one where I wanted a podium and I didn’t expect it to be a first place,” Duchaine said. “It’s even better, and with my two fourths, I was really confident for this year. I’m super happy with what I did tonight.”
First career World Cup🥇 for Duchaine ‼️<br><br>The 19-year-old claims an upset victory in a snowy Deer Valley ❄️<br><br> <a href=”https://t.co/knVKwaeKsJ”>pic.twitter.com/knVKwaeKsJ</a>
—@TeamCanada
Organizers deemed conditions unsafe for triple jump attempts, deciding the athletes needed to focus on doubles.
Fellow Canadian Émile Nadeau finished ninth.
Duchaine is now fourth in the overal standings, 22 points behind third place.
The next stop is scheduled for next Saturday in Lac-Beauport, Que.