On the biggest ski cross stage in the world, Canmore’s Tristan Tafel soared to new heights at the X Games in Aspen, Colo.
“It was a new personal best at the international level. That was huge for me. I was pleased with my skiing that day. I was unlucky in the second heat, but I got past it and knew I had to ski and not worry about it,” Tafel said.
The Canmore ski racer crashed in the quarter-final after a run-in with a teammate.
“My teammate ended up taking me out. He pulled an illegal move, but the judges overruled it and said it wasn’t intentional contact. That’s okay, because I got into the small final.”
In the small final, he finished second, right behind teammate Brady Leman.
“I took out my frustrations on the course. I’m happy with the way I skied,” Tafel said.
Skiing the biggest course of his career, Tafel marveled at the size of the event. Faster times, bigger jumps and more drafting led to unpredictable results, however, they suited Tafel’s style.
“The course wasn’t as technical as last year. Some of the features were a little more tame and that made it a lot safer. It was an amazing experience. Everything on the track is just perfect. It’s a dream track – huge jumps… the road gap (the 60-foot jump at the end of the course) can fit two Cats (groomers) under it,” Tafel said.
The X Games course is the double black of the ski cross world, with massive jumps, banked turns and features. The course began with a 14-foot drop from a platform onto the course, and finished with a 60-foot jump to the finish line. On the World Cup circuit, the racers speed down the hill four abreast, however, at the X Games they race six abreast.
With six skiers on course, drafting played a huge factor. Gold medal winner Chris Del Bosco went from sixth to first in one of his heats, something Tafel learned from.
“You can make more happen with a track this big. You ski a lot different lines than a World Cup track, because you get a different draft. Everything is bigger on the course. It evolves to higher speeds, bigger drafting…”
Canada dominated the A final, as Chris Del Bosco won gold and Dave Duncan took the bronze medal. Del Bosco also won the gold medal in 2010 and took silver last year. He was dominant through the quarter-finals,
“Oh man, I feel great,” said Del Bosco, of Montreal. “It’s been kind of an up and down season and I was hoping to come here and have a big day. I’m feeling good about my skiing and it all came together. To come here and win gold with Duncan on the podium, it’s a great day.”
Duncan, who won X Games silver in 2010, was happy to get on the podium again.
“We all want gold, but I think you can be happy with any position on the podium here,” Duncan said. “It’s the biggest course of the year. It’s the biggest event of the year.”
Tafel was also involved in the tribute to late freestyle skier Sarah Burke. All skiers competed with a Sarah Burke sticker on their helmets.
“It hadn’t hit me until I got there. That’s when I started realizing she was gone. It was amazing how the skiers and snowboarders were all supporting her. Seeing the half pipe shut down for a tribute, it was special to be part of it. I was honoured to help send Sarah off. She was on my helmet (sticker) skiing every day.”
He’s now off to London, Ont. to compete in the next scheduled World Cup stop, where he hopes to build on his success. The technical courses suit Tafel, who skied with the Alberta Alpine team before switching over to ski cross.
“The Olympic course builder designed and built it. It will be one of the top tracks this year,” he said.
