Canada’s Thenault earns first World Cup aerials victory in Kazakhstan

ALMATY, Kazakhstan – Canada’s Marion Thenault captured her first World Cup aerials victory of her career on Saturday, while teammate Lewis Irving won bronze in the men’s event.

Thenault, a 20-year-old from Sherbrooke, Que., scored 89.88 points after landing a double-full full in the super finals, beating Russia’s Liubov Nikitina (86.36) and Zhanbota Aldabergenova of Kazakhstan (84.99).

“Honestly, it just feels amazing,” Thenault said. “I felt so proud and overwhelmed with emotions on the moment. I showed what I was able to do. I am still on a cloud right now.”

Thenault, whose previous best was a bronze in January in Moscow, shared World Cup rookie of the year honours with Ukraine’s Dmytro Kotovskyi. She finished third in the overall standings.

Irving, a 25-year-old from Quebec City, nailed a full double-full full in the super final to takebronze, his sixth World Cup podium finish of his career.

“Marion and I had discussed all year finishing on the podium together and we finally got it done,” Irving said. “The season hasn’t been easy, so to end on such a good note is great. I’m looking forward to getting home and getting some well-deserved rest.”

Swiss skiers Pirmin Werner and Nicolas Gygax finished 1-2.

The World Cup freestyle season wraps up Sunday in Almaty with a dual moguls event.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published March 13, 2021.