Smith tops at Mont-Sainte-Anne

Steve Smith became the first Canadian to win the Mont-Sainte-Anne World Cup men’s downhill on Sunday, taking the race in a time of 3:58.485 on the 2.99-km course.

The reception by fans in the finish area was immense. Although Smith hails from Cassidy, B.C., the Quebec crowds made sure he felt like a hometown hero.

Smith was fastest in qualifying on Sunday, but wet conditions changed the nature of the course for race day.

“I couldn’t be more excited. I was very nervous at the top as it was pissing rain,” said Smith, after the race. “I tried to ride the track as it was dry, but I was sliding at every corner. The way I was hooking in practice was just not hooking today. It was just like a gloss coat out there. It was scary.”

Smith has had mixed results in Mont-Sainte-Anne. In 2010, he put on an incredible performance at the world championships, finishing second overall. However, in 2011 and 2012, Smith did no better than seventh.

“Every year I am pissed off because I know I can do well here. I just leave too much on the track every year. Seventh place for two years in a row just made me angry,” said Smith. “This is one of the tracks where you are going fast all the time, but you have time to think. I realized how much fun I had. I couldn’t have picked a better place to win.”

Smith was followed by Briton Gee Atherton in second place, and Australian Sam Hill, who finished third.

Smith now trails Atherton in the World Cup standings by 120 points. With two rounds remaining in the 2013 season, Smith could potentially move into first place overall in the rankings.

Émmeline Ragot won the women’s downhill race. Micayla Gatto was the top Canadian, finishing eighth.

Gatto had a challenging week, suffering a flat tire during qualifying.

“I flatted in qualis, so it was my first full race here. I honestly didn’t feel that great, and it was a mediocre run. Considering how the week has been for me, I am OK with a top 10,” said Gatto.

Canadian Mark Wallace finished sixth in the men’s junior ranking, matching his career-best finish at a World Cup.