Olympic snowboard cross champion Haemmerle expressed the immense pressure that comes with winning gold, particularly after joining the ranks of legendary competitors. “There’s so much pressure in snowboard cross, especially once you win an Olympic gold. All the guys before me have two; I’m so glad I could step into their footsteps,” he noted. Haemmerle is now part of an elite group, including American Seth Wescott, who secured gold medals at the Torino 2006 and Vancouver 2010 Olympics, and Frenchman Pierre Vaultier, who dominated in Sochi 2014 and PyeongChang 2018.
Haemmerle conveyed his hopes for the next generation of snowboarders, wishing them well as they chase their own Olympic dreams. “I wish good luck to the next guy winning the Olympic gold. It means a ton to me,” he added. “Everybody in snowboard cross has two of these at home. The next one should have two as well, I hope.”
Among those who might take up the mantle are the Chollet brothers from France, who showed impressive promise during the competition. Aidan Chollet reached the big final and finished in 4th place, while his sibling, Jonas, narrowly missed advancing past the semifinals, eliminated in a photo finish alongside American Dusek and their fellow countryman Loan Bozzolo. Jonas reflected on his first Olympic experience, stating, “I’m very happy. It was a complicated race, very long, and I gave it my all. I’m super proud to have done that.”
American snowboarder Nick Baumgartner, at 44, became the oldest competitor in the event. Despite his age, he demonstrated remarkable skills, finishing 7th and leading the U.S. team. Baumgartner enjoyed being a veteran in the sport, sharing his perspective: “At the end of the day, when I come here to the Olympics at 44, no one expects me to win or do that well, so it takes the pressure away.” He emphasized the hard work he puts in to compete with younger athletes, saying, “No one’s outworking me. I put in a lot of work to be competitive with these kids and they know it.”
Baumgartner also showed aspirations for future competitions, confirming his intention to return to the Olympic arena for the 2030 Winter Games in France. His determination serves as an inspiration, showcasing that passion and hard work can prevail, regardless of age. As the snowboard cross event concludes, the future looks bright for both seasoned competitors and emerging talents as they strive for Olympic glory.