February 01, 2014 - 8:47 AM
SUDELFELD, Germany - Caroline Calve of Lachine, Que., showed she is ready to challenge for a medal at the Winter Olympic Games with a fourth place finish in the women's parallel giant slalom on Saturday at a World Cup snowboard competition.
Switzerland's Patrizia Kummer took the gold medal, defeating Japan's Tomoka Takeuchi in the big final. Austria's Julia Dujmovits won the small final over Calve for the bronze.
"When I look back on my day, overall I did a good job," said Calve, a 2010 Olympic team member. "I didn't get off to a good start in qualifying but I was able to put that behind me. I'm pleased with how I was able to overcome that pressure of a slow start and finish on a strong note before the Games."
Ariane Lavigne of Lac-Superieur, Que., was 17th in qualifying missing a berth in the finals by one spot. Marianne Leeson of Burlington, Ont., was 21st.
In men's competition, Matthew Morison of Blackstock, Ont., also tuning up for Sochi, reached the final 16 but was eliminated in the first round of the duals for 10th place.
Now the focus for Calve and the other Canadian riders are the Olympics.
"For me, the Olympics are a mission," said Calve. "My goal is to be at my best, confident, almost on automatic pilot. When you are in that mode, it usually goes well from the qualifying rounds to the finals."
News from © The Canadian Press, 2014