Vancouver, March 13, 2023 – Alberta’s Daniel Tanner was on a mission this past Thursday at the season’s last individual moguls competition of the Nor-Am circuit in Stratton, Vermont. The 24-year-old was unstoppable and scored his first gold, ending his season in every athlete’s favourite colour.
The super final between Tanner and American Jackson Crockett was a fierce battle. The Canadian finally came out on top with a score of 82.45 versus his opponent’s 82.23. The win marks Tanner’s first gold – earlier this winter, the 24-year-old skier won two bronze medals and a silver medal on the circuit.
“Daniel was on the upswing throughout the day, he put down his best runs in both finals. This is his first Nor-Am singles win, so it was a big moment. I’m really happy that it’s finally happening for him,” said Coach Philippe Marquis of Tanner, who also leaves Vermont with the overall season championship title.
Also in the men’s super final, Canuck Sam Cordell finished the day in fifth place.
In women’s freestyle, Jessica Linton also earned an individual medal for Canada in Stratton. The Vancouver athlete finished with a bronze, on the third step of the podium, behind Americans Alli Macuga and Kasey Hogg.
Freestyle skiers Ashley Koehler and Maya Mikkelsen finished 4th and 5th respectively.
“Jessica and Ashley have had good runs all year and it continued this time. As with Daniel, this is Jessica’s first medal in singles after two fourth place finishes this year. All season she’s been focusing on technical goals rather than results and it’s paid off in the long run,” said Marquis.
The Nor-Am season concluded Friday with the parallel event, where three other athletes from Team Canada also added some hardware to their suitcases.
The men’s final was nearly an all-Canadian affair as Louis-David Chalifoux duked it out with Charles Beaulieu for the gold medal. Chalifoux’s World Cup experience this season likely made the difference in this duel, and it was he who got to stand on top of the podium.
“It’s cool to have two Quebecers in the final! Louis-David and Charles are good friends, so it was a really great moment for them both. It was also a nice exclamation point on Charles’ season. Louis-David wanted to bounce back after a bit of a subpar feeling about his runs in singles the day before, so this proves that progress is there for him, and that he should be back on the World Cup circuit full time very soon.
The bronze medal went to American Landon Wendler.
Ashley Koehler won the short final by defeating American Dory Michaud. This is Koehler’s third podium finish this season, as she won gold in the dual event at Apex Mountain, and in the singles event at Val Saint-Côme.
“It’s been a great season For Ashley; she’s consistent and always one to watch. She finished third overall for the season and that is well deserved,” added Marquis.
In total, five different Canadians stood on the podium in Stratton, Vermont, a situation that coach Philippe Marquis is very much pleased with. Take note, freestyle fans, the World Junior Championships are fast approaching (March 21 to 25), and set to take place in beautiful Chiesa in Valmalenco, Italy.
“All Canadian athletes were able to stand out this year. It shows great quality and depth, the next generation is there and we love it! Provincial programs are excellent for the development of our athletes,” concluded the coach.
