X Games: Mark McMorris continues reign; Canadians dominate
Saskatchewan native has now won gold in 4 of last 5 years in snowboard slopestyle
Canada had a successful Saturday at the Winter X Games in Aspen, Colo., walking away with six medals, three of them gold.
Mark McMorris highlighted the successful day, defending his crown in snowboard slopestyle and winning gold in the event for the fourth time in five years. Silver in the event was also won by a Canadian, 23-year-old Sebastien Toutant,
McMorris scored 92.66 on his best run, and Toutant's score of 90.00 easily gave the Canadians a 1-2 finish. Third place was occupied by Mons Roisland of Norway, whose best run was 86.33.
Canada also dominated the men's and women's Skier X events, finished first and second in the women's and first and third in the men's.
Kelsey Serwa won gold in the women's event with a time of 51.417, with Marielle Thompson snagging silver just 0.395 seconds off first. Alizee Baron of France won bronze.
"I'm so happy to be back here at the X Games. I was tired of being second so I made a plan and stuck with it today," Serwa said of her first-place finish. "What made me most happy was to land on my feet in the finish."
Leman, Del Bosco climb podium
In the men's event, Brady Leman's time of 48.571 was good enough for gold, followed by France's Bastien Midol. Chris Del Bosco of Canada took home the bronze.
"This year I worked a lot more on the mental side of things and changed my approach. I've always been strong in training but I couldn't manage to put it together until today," Leman said. "I was relaxed and calm and had three perfect starts.
"I've dreamed of winning the Winter X Games in ski cross long before wanting to win a World Cup. This event pioneered our sport and it's huge day for me."
The Winter X Games conclude on Sunday.