Émile Nadeau and Lewis Irving Halt Before Aerials Super Final
Émile Nadeau and Lewis Irving, two skilled skiers from Quebec, faced tough competition during the Olympic aerials event. On February 16, 2024, held in Livigno, both athletes performed commendably but struggled against strong contenders from Switzerland and China.
Performance Overview
Lewis Irving secured his spot in the finals during the first qualification round, achieving a score of 117.70 points, which placed him fourth overall. This result allowed him to avoid the second qualification round. In the finals, he launched with a score of 102.26 on his first jump but remained in seventh place, not qualifying for the super final. A second attempt brought him 111 points, still insufficient to improve his ranking.
Émile Nadeau also displayed remarkable skill, achieving 102.21 points in his first final attempt, landing him in eighth place overall. Unfortunately, during his second run, he executed a high-difficulty jump but fell on landing, finishing outside the top six. Both skiers exhibited determination, but ultimately, their performances were overshadowed by their rivals.
Top Competitors
The finals were dominated by Swiss athletes Noe Roth and Pirmin Werner, along with four Chinese competitors: Quangpu Qi, Xindi Wang, Tianma Li, and Jiaxu Sun. Their consistency and skill left no doubt about their superiority in the competition.
Recent Challenges
Émile Nadeau’s journey to the Olympics was marked by significant challenges. Earlier in 2025, he suffered a vertebra fracture that required 12 weeks of recovery in a cervical collar. At just 22 years old, he aimed to regain his confidence amidst the pressures of competition. His performance at these Olympics marks his second Olympic appearance and is a testament to his resilience.
Others in the Competition
Two other Quebec skiers, Victor Primeau and Miha Fontaine, unfortunately, did not reach the finals, finishing in 14th and 15th places, respectively. Fontaine, who had previously been the top-ranked Canadian skier in the World Cup, expressed disappointment but acknowledged the competitive environment. Primeau, participating in his first Olympics, viewed the experience as a valuable learning opportunity.
Impact of Weather Conditions
This week, Livigno experienced heavy snowfall that disrupted the competition schedule for aerial skiing. Training sessions were canceled, limiting the Canadian team’s preparation to just two days of practice prior to the event. Fontaine remarked that this lack of practice affected his performance and is an area he aims to improve in the future.
- Event Date: February 16, 2024
- Location: Livigno, Italy
- Top Competitors:
- Noe Roth (Switzerland)
- Pirmin Werner (Switzerland)
- Quangpu Qi (China)
- Xindi Wang (China)
- Tianma Li (China)
- Jiaxu Sun (China)
As the athletes reflect on their performances, they prepare for future competitions, hoping to leverage this experience for success ahead.
