Canadian freestyle skier Lewis Irving reached his first World Cup podium in two years with a menB次元官网网址檚 aerials silver medal on home soil Saturday.

The 29-year-old from Quebec City scored 102.50 points in the super final at Le Relais ski resort.

ChinaB次元官网网址檚 Qi Guangpu captured gold (124.00) and Christopher Lillis of the United States took bronze (85.40).

It was IrvingB次元官网网址檚 first podium since winning bronze at the World Cup event in Ruka, Finland, in December 2022.

Irving attempted a difficult quintuple-twist jump and his gamble paid off, even though he fell on the landing B次元官网网址� as did four other participants in the super final.

B次元官网网址淚t feels great. We took a risk, went all-in with a quintuple twist in the super final,B次元官网网址� he said with a wide smile. B次元官网网址淚 tried it, and even though I didnB次元官网网址檛 stick the landing, it shows it was the right decision.

B次元官网网址淚 didnB次元官网网址檛 come here to aim for second or third, so thatB次元官网网址檚 why I went for it.B次元官网网址�

The result was particularly satisfying for Irving after two years plagued by numerous injuries.

B次元官网网址淟ast year was pretty tough, especially coming back from injuries and all,B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址檓 really happy to get a podium this early in the season, it gives me energy for the rest of the year.B次元官网网址�

Irving could secure his ticket to the 2026 Milan-Cortina Olympics on Sunday if he finishes on the podium again.

B次元官网网址淲hile some say theyB次元官网网址檙e not thinking about (Olympic qualification), I am. I know full well the ultimate goal is to score a hat trick at the Olympics,B次元官网网址� said Irving, who won bronze in the mixed team event at the Beijing Olympics in 2022.

B次元官网网址淥ne step down, and IB次元官网网址檒l go for the second tomorrow (Sunday).B次元官网网址�

Alexandre Duchaine, also of Quebec City, finished in fifth place with 78.28 points.

Earlier, Marion Th茅nault of Sherbrooke, Que., placed 13th in womenB次元官网网址檚 aerials qualifying, falling just 0.26 points short of a spot in the final.

B次元官网网址淭hat makes it even worse,B次元官网网址� she said. B次元官网网址淚f IB次元官网网址檇 at least wiped out, IB次元官网网址檇 be less disappointed. ItB次元官网网址檚 frustrating.B次元官网网址�

The 24-year-old was bedridden by a severe virus earlier in the week and is dealing with a knee injury sustained during qualifications at last weekB次元官网网址檚 World Cup in Lake Placid, N.Y.

Th茅nault needed to reach the podium in both individual events this weekend to secure her Olympic qualification. SheB次元官网网址檒l have more opportunities to qualify later in the season.