Canada's Reece Howden rips 'absolute joke' conditions in Olympic men's ski cross final

It was an unexpected early end for Canada's men's ski cross team at the Milano Cortina Olympic Winter Games on Saturday in Livigno, Italy.

All four of Canada's entries did not advance past the quarterfinals – including reigning World Cup Crystal Globe winner Reece Howden, who wasn't shy about sharing his frustration with the conditions of the course in an interview with CBC 's Kelly VanderBeek.

"Honestly, like, the weather is ridiculous. It is a joke," Howden said after the competition. "I bet you – I don't know what the times are, but it's gotta be, like, 10 to 15 seconds slower. It's a completely different course.

"If I waited four years for this [event], I'll wait for another four because this is a joke."

Heavy snow complicated racing conditions, including slow areas outside of the main lip of the course and athletes were struggling to clear the jumps.

"It's snowing so hard, and it's just, the track is dead slow...Yeah, this is an absolute joke. I, honestly, at this point, I'm happy I'm not involved in this race, 'cause this is ridiculous. Like, this is not ski cross.," Howden said.

Reece Howden furious about Olympic ski cross conditions, calls event 'a joke'

"Olympics supposed to be the best of the best. You know, the peak of our sport. And like I said before, I'll wait four more years, 'cause this is an absolute joke."

The day couldn't have started better for the 27-year-old from Cultus Lake, B.C., who posted the fastest time out of all competitors in the seeding round. Howden won his 1/8 final heat with ease, but things unravelled in his quarterfinal heat.

Howden got off to a good start and was in second place before he was crowded on a turn by Italy's Federico Tomasoni. That caused the Canadian to lose speed which