Freestyle skiing: Marion Thénault fourth in the world in total bitterness

After two postponements in as many days due to weather conditions, the Quebecer was ready to impress at the second Worlds of her career. She did not fail to demonstrate her intentions in the first final, where she dominated the session with 93.06 points.

The Sherbrooke resident was therefore the last competitor to start the super final, with the world title at stake. For the occasion, she had chosen to go with a full-double-full, the same jump having led her to the podium many times in the World Cup over the past year.

Except this time, the outcome turned out to be quite different. An error at the start of his jump, mixed with nervousness, created chaos in his technique. She was unable to perform up to her expectations, seeing the podium slipping through her fingers at the same time.

“There was a lot, a lot of pressure and I gave a little too much. I put too much rotation on takeoff and was not able to slow down in the air. It gave what it gave,” Thénault explained bitterly in a telephone interview with Sportcom.

Her 77.19 points gave her the fourth echelon and she saw the Chinese Fanyu Kong ( 85.30) be decorated with gold. Australian Danielle Scott (83.84) and Ukrainian Anastasiya Novosad (82.84) finished second and third respectively.

“I'm disappointed, because I knew I could win the Worlds and I had the jumps to do it,” continued the 22-year-old athlete. I was in my zone throughout practice, qualifying and the first final, but I wasn't able to finish it on a high.”

“I haven't forgiven myself yet . I know that looking back, my season is going really well, but that's also why it hurt so badly today.

Objective: crystal globe

After this short stint in Georgia, marked by individual performances on Wednesday and a fifth place in the mixed team competition on Sunday, the members of the national jumping squad will head to Italy for a few days of complete rest.< /p>

Then they will go to Switzerland to prepare for the last two stops on the World Cup schedule. They will first be in the Engadine on March 5, before concluding the season in Almaty two weeks later.

At the height of the fight to obtain the crystal globe of the discipline, Thénault promised himself to do everything to find the podium as quickly as possible. And, according to the principal concerned, the most effective way to bounce back will not necessarily be through changes.

On the contrary, she will opt for the status quo at the top of the track.

“I don't want to break my head and change something, because I have a winning formula and today it's just a counter-example”, analyzed the one who occupies the second place in the women's cumulative jump standings with 275 points, seven less than leader Danielle Scott.

“Since the start of the season, I've been in a good frame of mind, I leave absolutely everything on the track and I'm proud of it. This is what has allowed me to make three podiums so far and I will do everything in my power to get the globe. Today, it's heartbreaking and it hurts me, but I can use it to kick my ass, ”she said in conclusion, thereby finding her meaning. usual humor.