Comeback bronze for Sandrine Hamel at Para snowboard World Cup

LANDGRAAF, Netherlands – Canadian Sandrine Hamel will head home with two bronze medals in two days earned at the season opening Para snowboard World Cup event held at the indoor venue in Landgraaf, Netherlands. 

On Tuesday, the 24-year-old St-Sauveur, Que. rider, born with a double major scoliosis, posted her best time on her second run to finish in third spot in the women’s LL2 banked slalom event. She was in fourth place after her first run and knew improvement was needed to climb into a medal position.

‘’I knew this was my last chance and it was the motivation I needed to beat my time,’’ said Hamel, also third in Monday’s banked slalom. ‘’The second run today was my best time this week. It was my last run here, I had nothing to lose so I went for it.’’

As was the case Monday, Lisa Bunschoten of the Netherlands took the gold, clocking 39.59 seconds. Yanhong Geng of China was second 2.89 seconds behind the winner and Hamel, a 2018 Paralympian, was 3.20 seconds back of the Dutchwoman.

It was also a great day for Lisa DeJong of Saskatoon who took fifth spot in her World Cup debut clocking 43.08. That run was the third best of the second round. Earlier in the Europa Cup event, Dejong, a left leg below the knee amputee, placed first in the LL2.

Tyler Turner of Calgary was fourth for the second straight day in the men’s LL2 event.

The next stop on the World Cup circuit is December 10-12 in Pyha, Finland.

With files from Sportcom