Canmore ski cross racer Tristan Tafel rode an unprecedented hot streak in winning four races in a row to catapult himself back onto the world cup circuit.
Tafel began the streak at Nakiska with an FIS race win on the final day of competition. He channelled that energy into a pair of Europa Cup wins in Orciere, France, then another FIS race win in Orciere.
“It all started at the last race at Nakiska. I had a good day and won the FIS race, then carried the momentum over in Europe and just tried to stay in the moment when I was racing – not getting ahead of myself and thinking about who I could be up against in the following heat,” Tafel said.
One of the most naturally talented skiers on the scene, Tafel has nailed his starts of late, which goes a long way in ski cross racing. It’s the longest winning streak of his career.
“My starts have been really strong and fast, so it’s boosted my confidence,” said Tafel, whose previous win streak was three NorAms in a row while he was still a teenager racing alpine.
The wins earned Tafel two world cup starts in Idre Fjall, Sweden, which proved to be a strong day for the team, but a frustrating end for Tafel. He ended up in the nets, but escaped without injury and finishing 20th.
Meanwhile, teammate Chris Del Bosco ended up second overall, Mathieu Leduc finished eighth, Ian Deans 24th, Kevin Drury 28th, Brady Leman 33rd , Louis-Pierre Helie 49th and Canmore’s Kris Mahler had a DNF. Del Bosco is now ranked third overall in world cup standings.
Marielle Thompson also won silver, finishing second in the women’s ski cross event, while Kelsey Serway was 18th.
“This track is a little different than some of the others on the world cup circuit. It has a long straightaway with big jumps and lots of rhythm sections,” Thompson said.
“I feel really good to be back on the podium on the world cup circuit after my result at the X Games. I’ve been skiing well and I can hopefully take today’s race and build on it for tomorrow’s race,” Del Bosco said.
On Sunday (Feb 14), Tafel didn’t back down after the previous day’s crash, and pushed through the entire day. He led his entire quarter-final heat until the last 100 metres, where he was passed on a dragon’s back and finished 30th overall.
“The line I was skiing was riskier, but you carried so much more speed and I went from third to first the run before. It was obviously a big gamble, but I didn’t want to get passed for not going big and taking the easy, safe route.”
Tafel is now scheduled to race in Switzerland, and will travel to South Korea for the Pyeongchang test event, although he’s uncertain if he will be a starter or forerunner.
“My coaches are extremely happy with my starts and the way I have been skiing. I just need to ski smart and have the right tactics on the right day and conditions,” Tafel said. “I am extremely happy with how I skied. I don’t think (the results) really reflect on the way I was skiing, but a few small things changed the final outcome.”
