Heat 1 – Quarterfinals
Riders (bibs and seeding context):
- 9: Jakob Dusek (AUT) – Seeded 9th (qual time 1:08.69), consistent Austrian with strong World Cup form; he advanced through this heat en route to bronze in the big final.
- 1: Aidan Chollet (FRA) – Top seed overall (fastest qualifier at 1:06.37), France’s leading rider known for explosive speed and clean racing; advanced here to reach the big final (4th overall).
- 32: Merlin Surget (FRA) – Lower-seeded Frenchman (qual time 1:15.89, but strong in 1/8 finals win), aggressive style; eliminated in this heat despite early promise.
- 24: Krystof Choura (CZE) – Mid-pack qualifier (1:09.24 best), solid but facing elite competition; eliminated here (finished 4th).
This quarterfinal intensified the stakes on the Livigno Snow Park course (~1,100–1,970m long, 154m vertical drop), with four riders battling for the top two spots to semis. The track’s gate drop, banked turns, woops/rollers for rhythm, big jumps for separation, and sweeping final stretch amplified positioning battles and photo-finish drama.
Start and Early Section (gate launch through initial banked turns):
The four riders launched simultaneously from the high gate. Dusek blasted off with a powerful, timed push, rocketing forward to claim the inside line through the opening banked turns and establish an early lead. Chollet, the top seed, had a quick recovery after a solid but not explosive start, using precise steering and flow to slot into second early. Surget and Choura trailed in the initial pack, pushing hard amid congestion on the banks—no major spills, but Dusek’s strong gate set a commanding pace.
Mid-Course (Rollers and Jumps):
The race hit the technical core—woops (mogul-style rollers for pumping speed) into big jumps where aggression, lines, and clean execution could create gaps or chaos. Dusek soared cleanly and high over the jumps, maintaining smooth flow through the rollers to hold his advantage and build momentum. Chollet rode aggressively, attacking smart lines in the woops and pushing close to challenge without errors or contact. Surget fought to stay in the mix with bold moves, while Choura pressed but couldn’t match the leaders’ rhythm in this demanding section—the top two began pulling clear as the pack strung out.
Final Stretch (last sweeping banks + sprint to the line):
Dusek carried his lead confidently through the wide sweeping curve into the homestretch, powering across first in a strong finish. Chollet crossed second, edging out Surget in a tight photo-finish decision for the second qualifying spot (Surget third, Choura fourth)—both Dusek and Chollet advanced to semifinals. The margin was razor-thin in the closing meters, with photo review confirming Chollet’s edge over his French teammate Surget, who was eliminated despite a competitive ride.
This heat was a clean, high-quality battle with no reported crashes or contact—Dusek’s dominant start and mid-course flow secured his progression (foreshadowing his bronze), while Chollet’s aggressive recovery and clutch final-stretch push kept France’s hopes alive (he’d reach the big final). The photo-finish drama highlighted the course’s unforgiving nature: early positioning, precise features, and speed in the sprint often decide everything.
Heat 2 – Quarterfinals
Riders (bibs and seeding context):
- 4: Jonas Chollet (FRA) – 17-year-old phenom (born 2008, qual time 1:08.04), explosive and fearless in his Olympic debut; advanced here to reach the small final (placing 6th overall).
- 5: Loan Bozzolo (FRA) – Strong French veteran (qual 1:08.22), aggressive and tactical; advanced to semis/small final (5th overall).
- 12: Lucas Eguibar Bretón (ESP) – Three-time Olympian (32 years old, qual 1:08.97), experienced with smart racing; impacted by contact but not disqualified—finished effectively 3rd after review.
- 13: Nathan Pare (USA) – 21-year-old from Maine (qual 1:09.07), gritty underdog known for comebacks; made an incredible surge but disqualified (RAL – Ranked As Last) for contact, eliminating him despite crossing first.
This quarterfinal became one of the most controversial and dramatic heats of the day on the Livigno Snow Park course (~1,100–1,970m long, 154m vertical drop), with its high gate start, banked turns, woops/rollers for rhythm, big jumps for air/passing, and sweeping final stretch. Contact incidents are always reviewed via video in snowboard cross, and this one sparked heated debate (Pare called it “insane,” while analysts like Lindsey Jacobellis noted it was a tough call).
Start and Early Section (gate launch through initial banked turns):
The four riders dropped simultaneously from the elevated gate. Jonas Chollet delivered an explosive start, rocketing forward with raw power to claim the inside line through the opening banked turns and surge into an early lead. Bozzolo launched strong as well, staying close behind in second with aggressive steering to match his teammate’s pace. Pare and Eguibar trailed early—Pare near the back of the pack initially, facing congestion on the banks as the French duo pulled ahead quickly. No major incidents here, but the French pair set a fast, dominant tone from the drop.
Mid-Course (Rollers and Jumps):
The race entered the high-intensity technical zone—woops (mogul-style rollers for pumping) into big jumps where battles raged for position. Intense action unfolded: Chollet flew high and clean over the jumps, maintaining flow and separation. Bozzolo made a strategic pass in the woops, attacking lines aggressively to challenge his teammate and hold strong momentum. Pare, starting from near last, mounted a furious comeback—gaining speed through the rollers and pushing bold lines to close massive ground. The pivotal moment came mid-to-late: around Turn 4 (as reported), Pare moved from inside to outside to overtake Eguibar, but stumbled slightly; the tail of Pare’s board made contact with the back of Eguibar’s board, causing the Spaniard to lose balance and fall into the powder. Eguibar was visibly upset on course, while Pare continued charging forward without stopping.
Final Stretch (last sweeping banks + sprint to the line):
Pare powered through the wide sweeping curve and propelled off the final jump, crossing the finish line first in an astonishing comeback (arms raised in celebration initially). Chollet crossed second, Bozzolo third—but the run went immediately under review for the contact. After video analysis, judges ruled Pare’s move constituted illegal interference (deemed intentional or taking away Eguibar’s line/exit opportunity), issuing a red card disqualification (RAL – Ranked As Last). This promoted Chollet to first and Bozzolo to second—both advanced to semifinals. Eguibar, despite the fall, was effectively third (impacted but not penalized further), and Pare ranked last, eliminated amid frustration (he threw hands up in disbelief, asked officials “Who do I talk to?” and called the call “insane”). The decision sparked controversy—some (including NBC analyst Jacobellis) saw it as “old-school racing” and incidental, while others (and Eguibar) viewed it as clear interference.
This heat encapsulated snowboard cross chaos: France’s early dominance, Pare’s heroic surge, and a post-finish review that flipped the result. No other crashes reported, but the contact drama overshadowed the race and highlighted the fine line between aggressive passing and penalty-worthy moves on this unforgiving course.
Heat 3 – Quarterfinals
Riders (bibs and seeding context):
- 6: Lorenzo Sommariva (ITA) – Seeded 6th (qual time 1:08.52), home-crowd favorite from Italy with strong World Cup experience and tactical aggression; advanced here to semis (finished 8th overall in small final).
- 22: Nick Baumgartner (USA) – Veteran at 44 (five-time Olympian, mixed team gold in 2022), seeded lower (qual best 1:08.79), known for savvy racing and late surges; advanced to semis (heartbreaking .08-second photo-finish miss for big final, 7th overall in small final).
- 14: Martin Nörl (GER) – Experienced German (seeded 14th, qual 1:09.09), consistent but in a tough draw; finished 3rd, eliminated.
- 3: Leon Ulbricht (GER) – Highly seeded (3rd overall qual 1:07.94), young German talent with speed; DNF early, eliminated (crashed or issue in mid-course, ending his run despite strong seeding).
This quarterfinal brought Italian home energy, American veteran grit, and German depth to the high-stakes Livigno Snow Park course (~1,100–1,970m long, 154m vertical drop), with its explosive gate, banked turns, rhythm woops/rollers, big jumps for attacks, and sweeping final stretch—where crashes and surges often decide advancement.
Start and Early Section (gate launch through initial banked turns):
The four riders launched simultaneously from the elevated gate. Sommariva delivered a strong, aggressive push, rocketing forward to claim the preferred inside line through the opening banked turns and surge into an early lead on home snow. Baumgartner got a solid veteran start, pushing hard with experience to stay close and challenge early. The German duo of Ulbricht and Nörl trailed in the initial pack, navigating congestion on the banks as Sommariva set a fast pace—no major issues yet, but the top two began separating quickly.
Mid-Course (Rollers and Jumps):
The race hit the demanding technical zone—woops (mogul-style rollers for pumping rhythm) into big jumps where bold airs and line choices create separation or drama. Sommariva attacked aggressively, launching high and clean airs over the jumps while flowing powerfully through the rollers to extend his lead. Baumgartner used veteran speed and smart lines through the woops, carrying momentum and closing ground without over-risking. The key moment: Ulbricht DNF’d early in this section (likely a crash or mechanical issue on a jump/roller, as confirmed in official results—ending his promising run). Nörl pushed to stay in contention but couldn’t match the leaders’ flow amid the chaos, falling back as Sommariva and Baumgartner pulled clear.
Final Stretch (last sweeping banks + sprint to the line):
Sommariva held his advantage confidently through the wide sweeping curve into the homestretch, powering across first for the win. Baumgartner made a noted late surge—using his experience to push hard in the closing meters—crossing second to secure advancement. Nörl finished third, Ulbricht DNF (eliminated). Both Sommariva and Baumgartner qualified to semifinals—no contact penalties reported, just a clean but intense race with the early DNF adding drama.
This heat showcased resilience: Sommariva’s home-crowd aggression and Baumgartner’s veteran push (setting up his near-miss in semis) advanced them, while Ulbricht’s DNF was a tough break for Germany. The course rewarded strong starts, bold mid-features, and clutch late speed—classic snowboard cross intensity.
Heat 4 – Quarterfinals
Riders (bibs and seeding context):
- 2: Éliot Grondin (CAN) – Top-seeded contender (qual time elite at ~1:06.75, ranked 2nd overall), 24-year-old Canadian star with Beijing 2022 silver, known for explosive starts, flawless technique, and consistency; advanced here en route to silver in the big final (edged by 0.03s photo-finish rematch with Hämmerle).
- 7: Alessandro Hämmerle (AUT) – Defending Beijing 2022 gold medalist (seeded 7th, qual ~1:08.56), aggressive powerhouse with elite recovery and clutch finishes; advanced to semis/big final and successfully defended gold (0.03s over Grondin).
- 23: Jake Vedder (USA) – American rider (seeded ~23rd, qual ~1:08.96), strong performer with Beijing 6th; pushed hard but finished 3rd, eliminated.
- 15: Kalle Koblet (SUI) – Solid Swiss qualifier (mid-pack seed), tactical and speedy; finished 4th, eliminated.
This quarterfinal pitted the two eventual finalists against each other early in a stacked heat on the high-drama Livigno Snow Park course (~1,100–1,970m long, 154m vertical drop), featuring simultaneous gate drops, flowing banked turns, rhythm woops/rollers, big jumps for bold moves, and sweeping final curves that set up razor-thin margins—foreshadowing the epic big final photo finish.
Start and Early Section (gate launch through initial banked turns):
The four riders exploded from the elevated gate together. Grondin dominated with a perfect, explosive launch—his trademark fast start—rocketing forward to claim the inside line through the opening banked turns and surge into a commanding early lead. Hämmerle got a solid push but faced slight congestion, recovering aggressively with powerful steering to close ground and slot into second early. Vedder and Koblet trailed in the initial pack, battling for position amid the banks as the top two pulled ahead quickly—no major crashes, but Grondin’s flawless early lines established clear separation.
Mid-Course (Rollers and Jumps):
The race entered the technical heart—woops (mogul-style rollers for pumping rhythm) leading to big jumps where aggression, lines, and timing create decisive gaps. Grondin stayed smooth and precise, launching clean, high airs over the jumps while flowing effortlessly through the rollers to maintain his edge. Hämmerle turned aggressive here, attacking the rollers strategically to pass and challenge—using his power to close on Grondin and build momentum without errors. Vedder pushed hard to stay relevant, while Koblet fought for position but couldn’t match the leaders’ intensity in this demanding section—the top two began to separate from the pack.
Final Stretch (last sweeping banks + sprint to the line):
Grondin carried his lead through the wide sweeping curve into the homestretch, but Hämmerle stayed glued. In a tense sprint, both powered across the line in a photo-finish decision—Grondin edged first, Hämmerle second (margin tight but confirmed via photo review). Vedder crossed third and Koblet fourth, eliminated. Both Grondin and Hämmerle advanced to semifinals—no contact or penalties reported, just elite, clean racing that highlighted their rivalry (setting up their 0.03s big final rematch, where Hämmerle thrust his board ahead for gold).
This heat was a preview of the final’s drama: Grondin’s early dominance and smooth execution vs. Hämmerle’s aggressive recovery and clutch closing speed. No chaos or crashes—just two medal favorites showcasing why they reached the podium, with the course rewarding precise starts, tactical mid-features, and razor-sharp final sprints.
If you’d like a full quarterfinals wrap-up, breakdowns of the semis (Grondin won his, Hämmerle advanced via photo over Baumgartner), the big final’s 0.03s photo-finish details (Hämmerle defending gold), or any visuals from the race (e.g., action shots of Grondin leading or the finish line)
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