While many halfpipe athletes either headed to the X Games in Aspen or hunkered down to train for the Olympics, Squamish veteran Justin Lamoureux headed to Calgary last weekend to take part in the last World Cup before the Olympic break.
The decision paid off with a silver medal, with the 34-year-old Lamoureux wedged between Arthur Longo of France and Ben Kilner of Great Britain.
Other Canadians in the mix were Brendan Davis in 14 th place, Derek Livingston 18 th , Whistler's Dan Raymond 20 th and Jeff Batchelor - second the previous week in Quebec - 23 rd .
"This is a good confidence builder and I'm happier with the runs I'm landing and the ability to change runs on the spot," said Lamoureux.
Despite strong results at pro events and a silver medal in the world championships several years ago, it was only the second World Cup medal of Lamoureux's career, going back to 2002.
On the women's side, Chinese riders placed first and second with Holly Crawford of Australia third. Whistler's Mercedes Nicoll was the top Canadian, just missing a spot in the finals and finishing in seventh place. Sarah Conrad was ninth.
Calgary also saw the first FIS-sanctioned World Cup slopestyle competition in history. The field was mostly made up of Canadians, with Brooke Voigt and Alexandra Duckworth of Canada placing second and third behind Sina Candrian of Switzerland. Whistler's Molly Milligan was fourth.
Mark McMorris was first for Canada on the men's side, followed by Seppe Smits of Belguim and Nick Brown of New Zealand.
Whistler's Craig Beaulieu also made the trip, placing 14 th .
