Canadian snowboarder Mark McMorris has successfully qualified for the slopestyle final at the Milan Cortina Olympics, showcasing his resilience and skills after recovering from a severe injury sustained in big air training. With a score of 81.81 from his best run, McMorris managed to secure third place among the competitors, enabling him to advance alongside 11 other riders in a highly competitive qualifying round. His qualification comes only days after a crash that left him with a concussion and other injuries, demonstrating his impressive comeback in the sport.

In the qualifying heat, McMorris was not alone, as fellow Canadian snowboarder Cameron Spalding also secured a spot in the final, finishing in fifth place with a score of 78.76 after overcoming an initial fall in his first attempt. This event highlights the exceptional talent in Canada’s snowboarding roster, particularly as McMorris, who has previously won bronze medals in his Olympic appearances, aims to add to his accomplishments in this highly technical discipline.

The top qualifying score was achieved by New Zealand’s Dane Menzies, who scored 86.06. Interestingly, Menzies has Canadian roots, being born in Calgary to a Canadian mother and a New Zealand father, and raised in Canmore, Alberta. This connection emphasizes the cross-border talent and the competitive nature of snowboarding in the Olympic arena, as athletes from different backgrounds come together in pursuit of Olympic glory.