At the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games, Eliot Grondin once again proved his prowess in snowboard cross, clinching a silver medal on February 12, 2026. The 24-year-old Canadian showcased exceptional talent, securing leads in the earlier rounds before finishing just 0.03 seconds behind Austria’s Alessandro Haemmerle in the final.
Eliot Grondin’s Journey to Silver
This performance mirrored Grondin’s experience at the Beijing 2022 Olympics, where he also earned a silver medal in the same event. Reflecting on his latest achievement, Grondin expressed satisfaction with his performance, stating, “I had fun, I have no regrets.” He acknowledged the intense competition, stating, “Obviously we wanted gold. It was really close again, but it was a good week.”
A Tactical Race Strategy
During the final, Grondin opted for a strategic start, allowing competitors like France’s Aidan Chollet to lead initially. He later admitted that his approach may have edged him out of gold contention, reflecting, “Maybe I should have been a bit more patient at the top and let the gap grow.” Despite this, Grondin managed to secure his third Olympic medal, becoming the first Canadian snowboard racer to achieve this milestone.
Challenging Conditions at Livigno
The snowboard cross final faced challenging weather conditions. What began as a sunny day turned into a blustery storm, complicating the athletes’ performances. Grondin described the situation, saying, “You couldn’t see a thing on track. It was just kind of like guessing what you were doing.”
Team Canada and Personal Triumphs
- Grondin – Silver medal in snowboard cross, third Olympic medal overall.
- Alessandro Haemmerle – Gold medal winner from Austria.
- Aidan Chollet – Finished fourth in the final.
Alongside Grondin, Team Canada featured Liam Moffatt and Evan Bichon, who did not progress past the 1/8 finals. Bichon’s participation was particularly inspiring as he had faced personal tragedy with the loss of his mother to cancer the previous November. He shared, “To be able to come back to sport, it’s been a journey. So just being here, I’m really grateful.”
Eliot Grondin’s silver medal achievement at the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games not only highlights his skill but also cements his place in Canadian sports history. His journey serves as an inspiration for many, showcasing resilience in the face of adversity and competition.
