Snowboarder Robertson says best expected

Olympic snowboard cross silver medal winner Mike Robertson said he doesn't think the Own the Podium strategy is putting too much pressure on athletes, adding Canadians should expect the best from competitors.

"I don't think there's anything wrong with expecting the best, because Canada's good at sports," said Robertson, who hails from Edmonton and trains in Canmore.

"Looking at this Olympic team as a whole, it's pretty cool. And I think they're going to achieve from now on. I hope the best for everyone. I think good things will happen."

Robertson jumped out ahead in each of his first three heats during his snowboard cross competition at the Vancouver Games, never relinquishing first place. In Monday's final he again took the early lead, with 2006 gold medallist Seth Wescott of the United States close behind.

The two boarders were centimetres apart through the middle portion of the race, with Robertson jumping ahead late. Wescott caught up on the final turn, passing the Canadian to finish first.

Robertson was thrilled to have won a place on the podium.

"I don't know if I would have done anything differently," he said. "I did what I thought was the best but it wasn't. It would have been good if there was another feature on the course, something else. I was hoping the course wouldn't have ended where it ended."

Canada's Own the Podium program is a $117 million, five-year plan to help Canadians dominate in the Summer and Winter Games. It is expected Canada will win most of its medals in the last five days of the Games.

That's because many of Canada's strengths — hockey, curling, short-track and long-track speedskating, four-man bobsleigh, freestyle skiing aerials, figure skating and snowboard parallel giant slalom — will only wrap up in the final days of the Vancouver Games.

Robertson will receive his silver medal at a ceremony Tuesday night.