Kevin Hill of Vernon posted a seventh-place finish as the top Canadian in Friday’s World Cup men’s snowboard cross race in Bakuriani, Georgia.
The 34-year-old Hill advanced as a top-two qualifier in the eighth-final and quarter-final rounds and finished second in the small final to claim his best result of the season.
Hill was 25th in qualifying on Wednesday and 28th in Thursday’s race.
Omar Visintin of Italy topped the field of 40 riders Friday to win gold – his first podium result in 2020-21. Kalle Koblet of Switzerland took silver and Alessandro Hammerle of Austria captured bronze.
Evan Bichon of Prince George, Liam Moffatt of Truro, N.S., and Eliot Grondin of Ste-Marie, Que., each placed 25th in the 40-rider men’s event, after they all finished fourth in their eighth-final heats. Grondin won his first career World Cup event in Thursday’s individual race.
Meanwhile in the women’s event, Zoe Bergermann of Erin, Ont., was the top Canadian in ninth place. Meryeta O’Dine of Prince George, Carle Brenneman of Comox, Audrey McMainiman of Quebec City and Haili Moyer of King City, Ont., each placed 17th in the 25-rider women’s event after ending up third in each of their respective eighth-final heat races.
Charlotte Bankes of Great Britain won gold, Chloe Trespeuch of France was the silver medalist and Faye Gulini of the United States took bronze.
The World Cup snowboardcross tour heads to Veysonnez, Switzerland for the season-ending race March 20.
