Canada Falls Just Short as Fontaine and Thénault Claim Fourth at Aerials

In a challenging World Cup aerials competition held in Lac-Beauport, Canada, freestyle skiers Miha Fontaine and Marion Thénault finished fourth in their respective events, narrowly missing the podium on home soil. The competition, which took place on January 7, 2026, showcased top talent from around the globe, but Canadian athletes were unable to secure a medal.

Fontaine, hailing from Magog, Quebec, participated in the men’s event, achieving a score of 103.27 points. His performance placed him well behind the top three competitors. Sun Jiaxu from China clinched the gold medal with an impressive score of 131.58. Following him were fellow Chinese skier Li Tianma, who earned silver with 124.95, and Switzerland’s Noe Roth, who secured bronze with 122.91.

In the women’s event, Thénault, representing Sherbrooke, Quebec, finished with a score of 72.26 points. She trailed significantly behind the medalists, notably Xu Mengtao of China, who captured bronze with a score of 97.02. The gold medal was claimed by Laura Peel of New Zealand, who achieved a score of 113.76. American skier Winter Vinecki, who had won the previous day’s event, took home the silver with 109.9 points.

Despite the disappointment of finishing just outside the medal positions, both Fontaine and Thénault displayed commendable skill and resilience. Earlier in the week, Thénault had celebrated a silver medal in a previous event, marking her fourth medal of the season, an achievement showcasing her consistent performance throughout the World Cup series.

The competition drew significant attention, with spectators eager to support the Canadian athletes. While the results were not what they had hoped for, the event highlighted the growing talent in Canadian freestyle skiing and offered valuable experience for Fontaine and Thénault as they look ahead to future competitions.

As the World Cup aerials event concluded, both athletes remain focused on their training and are determined to improve in upcoming events. The competition served as a reminder of the challenges faced in high-stakes sports and the dedication required to reach the podium.