Sun Feb 22 13:20:00 UTC 2026: ### Haemmerle Edges Out Grondin in Thrilling Snowboardcross Final

The Story:
Alessandro Haemmerle of Austria successfully defended his Olympic title in men’s snowboardcross at the Winter Olympics in Livigno, Italy, on Thursday. In a repeat of the Beijing 2022 finish, Haemmerle narrowly defeated Canada’s Eliot Grondin, securing the gold medal by a hair’s breadth. Fellow Austrian Jakob Dusek claimed the bronze, denying France’s Aidan Chollet a spot on the podium.

Key Points:

  • Alessandro Haemmerle (Austria) won gold in men’s snowboardcross.
  • Eliot Grondin (Canada) took silver, repeating his Beijing 2022 result.
  • Jakob Dusek (Austria) secured the bronze medal.
  • Nick Baumgartner, the 2022 Olympic mixed snowboardcross champion, reached the semifinals.
  • Haemmerle won by a narrow margin, reminiscent of his 0.02-second victory in Beijing.
  • Grondin won the 2024/25 Crystal Globe and the 2025 world champion, when Haemmerle took bronze.
  • Austrian snowboarder Benjamin Karl defended his gold in men’s parallel giant slalom on Sunday.

Key Takeaways:

  • Alessandro Haemmerle has established himself as a dominant force in men’s snowboardcross, winning back-to-back Olympic gold medals.
  • The rivalry between Haemmerle and Grondin continues to produce thrilling finishes, highlighting the competitive nature of the sport.
  • Austria’s strength in snowboarding is evident, with multiple medals won in different disciplines.
  • Veteran athletes like Nick Baumgartner are still competitive at the highest level.
  • The snowboardcross event remains a captivating spectacle, characterized by close races and dramatic finishes.

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