Canada's Grondin wins gold at World Cup snowboard cross season opener

Canada's Éliot Grondin raced his way to a gold medal on Sunday at the season-opening World Cup snowboard cross event in Les Deux Alpes, France.

The 22-year-old from Sainte-Marie, Que., beat Austria's Alessandro Haemmerle to the finish line, while Spain's Lucas Eguiba took bronze. 

Grondin is building an impressive resume so far in his young career — he has four World Cup wins and a silver medal at the Beijing Olympics to his credit.

Fellow Canadian Evan Bichon of Mackenzie, B.C., finished 17th while Liam Moffatt, of Truro, N.S., was 28th.

On the women's side, Meryeta O'dine, of Prince George, B.C., finished eighth overall.