Balharry scores double silver at world cup

Canmore’s Robby Balharry had such a thrill in claiming his first world cup podium in Calgary, he decided to do it twice.

The globe-trotting snowboarder rode his way to double slopestyle silver at a world cup event in Calgary on Feb. 25-26, to lead a Canadian medal charge.

The medals were Balharry’s first on the world cup circuit.

“It seems like I’ve always gotten close to the podium. Today is my day,” Balharry told the Outlook shortly after his second medal run. “It went pretty good, I was sitting third in final run, threw in a few more 10s and it worked out.”

The jumps were scaled back for the event, as high winds threatened cancellation. After watching other competitors, he threw in an extra Backside Double and Cab 10 to ensure victory.

Balharry has spent much of the season in Europe honing his slopestyle skills – a sport that has a good chance at earning a spot in the upcoming Olympics. He qualified for the finals in second spot, which gave him the confidence to know he could compete with the best in the world in his own backyard at Calgary Olympic Park – even in windy conditions.

Winning only an hour away from his hometown made the victory that much sweeter for the 20-year-old.

“It made it so much better. My friends and family made it out to watch me compete, which was good,” Balharry said.

His first snowboard coach, Leo Addington, was also on hand for the medal performance.

He was also ‘stoked’ to podium with his friend Zach Stone, the reigning big air world champion silver medalist, who finished third in the second slopestyle event.

“We’ve been going to contests and hanging out a lot,” Balharry said. “I was super happy to be up there with Zach.”

The young boarder celebrated his medal win in Canmore Saturday night, and plans to rest for a couple of days before flying to Vermont to compete in the snowboard U.S. Open.

He praised his sponsors, friends and family.

“I have to thank my mom and dad and all my friends,” Balharry said.

Canada doesn’t have an official slopestyle team, yet Balharry has been riding with the best boarders for the past few months in Europe. He’s considered one of Canada’s best in the sport, which combines big tricks and big air. In the meantime, Balharry will celebrate the medal win.

“It’s time to party it up with my boys in Canmore.”