World Cup snowboard cross racer Evan Bichon of Prince George finished sixth in qualifying Thursday for a race in St. Mortiz, Switzerland.
The 25-year-old national team veteran clocked 1:06.55 in his fastest of two qualifying runs and is qualified to race Friday.
That matched his career-best sixth-place qualifying result last season in Veysonnaz, Switzerland.
Eliot Grondin of St-Marie-de-Beauce, Que., set the pace in qualifying, posting a time of 1:04.96.
In other Canadian results in the 63-entrant men’s qualifier, Lian Moffat of Truro, N.S. was seventh (1:06.89) and 22-year-old Colby Graham of Prince George placed 51st out of 66 (1:010.03). Tristan Bell of Gatineau, Que., was 60th (1:14.98).
Bichon is coming off a fifth-place finish last weekend at the Austrian national championships in Montafon. He finished 13th in the World Cup standings last season.
In women’s qualifying Thursday it was a tough day for Meryeta O’Dine of Prince George.
The 26-year-old two-time Olympic bronze medalist finished 15th out of 25 racers and just missed the top-14 cut to advance to Friday’s race.
O’Dine was the top Canadian in qualifying, finishing her run in 1:15.79.
Michel Moioli of Italy was first in qualifying (1:11.73)
Kennedy Justinen of Rocky Mountain House, Alta., was 19th (1:18.63).
The link to watch Friday’s race live in St. Mortitz is here.
Coverage starts at 3 a.m. PT.
