Canadian FreeStyle Ski Association – Olivier Rochon lands back on the World Cup podium

 Aerialist Olivier Rochon Finishes Second at the World Cup in Deer Valley

Deer Valley, Utah – It’s been a long road back to the top for aerialist Olivier Rochon (Gatineau, QC). The 2012 FIS Crystal Globe winner has had a string of bad luck and injuries that have kept him off the World Cup podium since 2013.
 
That all changed today when Rochon finished second in Deer Valley in his first World Cup event of the season. Rochon had previously missed the World Cup in Beijing in December due to an ankle injury.
 
The podium finish is the seventh of the 26-year-old Rochon’s career.
 
“I am really happy with the way my day went. I landed a nice jump in the qualification and the rest of my day went just well after that. I was making a comeback from an ankle injury in December so I really couldn’t have asked for more,” said Rochon. “This is a first World Cup podium for me since 2013. Feels good to be back and I hope I can build on this.”
 
China’s Guangpu Qi was at the top of the leaderboard with a score of 127.15. Rochon was next with 122.13 and Ukraine’s Oleksandr Abramenko rounded out the top three with a score of 121.24.
 
In fourth was Quebec City’s Lewis Irving with a score of 115.83. This marks the highest finish for the young 20-year-old who competed in only the fourth World Cup of his career.
 
“This is my highest score to date by almost three points. I am new to the World Cup circuit, so I am here to have fun and learn without putting too much pressure on myself,” said Irving. “I am happy with my result because even if I had had a perfect jump, I would have been behind the others due to the degree of difficulty of my jump not being as high. But this is only the beginning for me and I will have time to work on new jumps during the off-season.”
 
Both Rochon and Irving improved their qualification round scores of 116.37 and 112.18, respectively, that landed them in fifth and seventh place to earn them a spot in the 12-man final. Travis Gerrits (Milton, ON) finished 22^nd with a score of 86.73.
 
A total of 32 men from 10 different countries competed. Full results from today men’s event can be accessed here.
 
Catrine Lavallée finished in 25^th place on the women’s side with a score of 32.77. Full women’s results can be accessed here.
 
The team competes in another World Cup in Deer Valley tomorrow starting at 2:46 pm local time. A full schedule can be found here. 

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Dominique Ladouceur, Manager, Athlete Relations
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Email: dominiqueladouceur@freestyleski.com

George Fadel, Manager, Communications
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