Two Olympics in, Eliot Grondin reads the course like a map. In snowboard cross, four riders drop together and hit 80 km/h on ice. Chaos lurks in every bank and roller. “Control what you can,” he says. He trusts his start. He trusts his feel. “I can sense two-tenths right away.” His edge choice and race lines do the talking.
Precision first, power always
Like a Formula One driver, Grondin obsesses over trajectory. A clean line keeps speed and protects position. He spends less time on the start than rivals because it comes naturally. The focus shifts to exits, drafting and calm passes in traffic. Co-head coach Maëlle Ricker calls him “a machine” with touch and instincts—traits that separate finalists from also-rans. Ricker leads Canada’s SBX program into the Games this month.
Track record that travels
At Beijing 2022, Grondin claimed silver in men’s SBX and bronze in the mixed team event with Meryeta O’Dine. He debuted at PyeongChang 2018 at 16, then piled on World Cup wins and the 2025 world title. He enters Milan-Cortina as a marked man—and a favourite.
What awaits in Livigno
Snowboard cross runs at the Games in Livigno, with men’s racing scheduled during the first Olympic week and the mixed team event to follow. Course testing has highlighted speed sections and heavy compression zones; line choice will decide heats. Fans can track athlete pages and event updates on the official site as brackets publish.
The mindset behind the medal push
Grondin keeps the plan simple: set the line early, defend cleanly and react faster than the pack. He leans on routine—inspection notes, start-gate cues, and a narrow focus once the beeps sound. The template brought medals already; now he wants the upgrade. At 24, with speed and feel in sync, his window is wide open.
As race day nears, Team Canada’s SBX group looks settled, staff aligned, and roles clear. The pieces are there. If Grondin hits his lines, Milan-Cortina could add another chapter to an already loaded résumé.
