Finn Iles win at Mont-Sainte-Anne was a historic moment for Canadian downhill. He’s now just the second Canadian man to win an elite World Cup downhill. The other? Legendary Canadian racer Steve Smith.
The win was all the more emotional as Iles won on home soil, in Canada, at Mont-Sainte-Anne. The iconic venue means something special to every Canadian racer and mountain bike fan. And Quebec fans were out in full force to help Iles celebrate the win. Iles own family was also at MSA, waiting to greet him in the finish area.
It was a standout moment from a stellar day for the Canadian downhill program. Mark Wallace followed Iles into the top-10, finishing ninth. Earlier on, Jackson Goldstone landed a World Cup win of his own in the junior men’s race, clinching the series overall in the process. Gracey Hemstreet and Bodhi Kuhn added bronze medals for the home crowd in the junior women’s race and junior men’s race as well, with seven Cancuks in the top-10 of the junior races.
Gallery: Finn Iles homeland win at Mont-Sainte-Anne World Cup
Finn Iles focused on the most important four minutes of his career. Photo: Bartek Wolinski / Red Bull Content Pool
The Canadian's trademark scrubs were out in full effect at Mont-Sainte-Anne. Photo: Bartek Wolinski / Red Bull Content Pool
Fans were out in full force anticipating a big result from the Canadian. Photo: Bartek Wolinski / Red Bull Content Pool
Floating through MSA's rocks, Iles finished his run chainless. Photo: Bartek Wolinski / Red Bull Content Pool
Iles over the iconic final drop into the MSA ampatheater. Photo: Bartek Wolinski / Red Bull Content Pool
And the crowd follows. Photo: Bartek Wolinski / Red Bull Content Pool
The joy of the win. Photo: Bartek Wolinski / Red Bull Content Pool
And the realization of Iles' accomplishment sets in. Photo: Bartek Wolinski / Red Bull Content Pool
The glory of a hometown win. Photo: Bartek Wolinski / Red Bull Content Pool
Iles celebrating with the huge Canadian crowd in 2022. Photo: Bartek Wolinski / Red Bull Content Pool
The first Canadian elite World Cup win since 2013, still sinking in. Photo: Bartek Wolinski / Red Bull Content Pool
Jackson Goldstone, who won the jr. men's race earlier in the day, was there to congratulate Iles. What a day for Canadian mountain biking! Photo: Bartek Wolinski / Red Bull Content Pool
Champagne showers for the winner. Photo: Bartek Wolinski / Red Bull Content Pool
Let the celebrations begin! Photo: Bartek Wolinski / Red Bull Content Pool
One last look at Iles cruising through Mont-Sainte-Anne's formidable rock gardens. Photo: Bartek Wolinski / Red Bull Content Pool