Cameron Spalding, a 20-year-old snowboarder from Havelock, Ontario, has made headlines as he prepares to showcase his skills at the upcoming 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan-Cortina. The young athlete, who recently clinched the prestigious Crystal Globe as the overall FIS World Cup slopestyle champion, is not just excited about competing—he aims to elevate the visibility of snowboarding on the world stage.
A Passion for Snowboarding and Canada
Spalding’s enthusiasm for the Olympics is palpable. “The Olympics, like everybody watches it,” he said. “It doesn’t matter if you pay attention to sports or not. It’s also just good for snowboarding, to get more eyes on snowboarding.” His vision extends beyond personal achievement; he hopes to inspire a new generation of snowboarders. “At the end of the day, my goal is to get more people to ride a snowboard, and the Olympics help make that happen.”
The pride he feels in representing Canada is evident. “It’s sick. It’s not very often that we get to represent the Maple Leaf, so that’s a pretty cool thing too,” Spalding added. His love for his country is as strong as his dedication to the sport, and he often jokes about his fondness for maple syrup, claiming he puts it “on everything.”
Training and Preparation
Spalding’s journey in snowboarding has taken him to picturesque locations across the globe. He typically begins his training in August, spending time in Australia or New Zealand before the competitive season kicks off in November, continuing through to March. “I’m definitely pretty lucky, especially as a 20-year-old, to be able to have seen as many places as I have,” he reflected.
During a rare break over the Christmas holidays, Spalding enjoyed family time at home but admits he struggles to relax. “I feel like we just spend so much time doing stuff that I’m not very good at sitting still for longer periods of time,” he confessed. Yet, he made the most of the winter season, indulging in recreational snowboarding, snowmobiling, and even playing hockey on a frozen lake.
Competitive Edge and Goals
Before heading to the Olympics, Spalding competed in a slopestyle event in Aspen, finishing 20th on January 10. He opted to skip another World Cup event in Laax, Switzerland, to focus on training, culminating his pre-Olympic schedule at the X Games, where he secured seventh place. Notably, he competed alongside Canadian legend Mark McMorris, who achieved his 25th X Games medal during the event.
Spalding is keenly aware of the competitive landscape. “There are always five or six top dogs,” he noted, “but man, these days the field is so much deeper than it’s ever been. There could probably be maybe 20 guys nowadays that could put together a run that could win the contest.” For him, slopestyle remains his preferred format, as it demands not only technical ability but also creativity and style.
The Olympic Experience
As Spalding prepares for the Olympic stage, he emphasises the importance of routine. He engages in visualization techniques before competitions and listens to music to get into the right mindset. “If I can just go, get into finals, ride my board well, feel good on the course and put down the best run that I can, then I think I’ll have a pretty good chance at landing on the podium,” he explained.
With three days of practice at the Olympic venue, he feels optimistic about his performance. “It’s amazing. It’s a super cool little town in the middle of the valley,” he said about Livigno, where the competitions will take place. “I’m actually really excited just to be there.”
Canada has a strong legacy in snowboarding, particularly in slopestyle and big air, with athletes like McMorris, Max Parrot, and Sébastien Toutant securing numerous medals over the past three Olympics. Spalding acknowledges the pressure to perform but sees it as motivation. “It’s big shoes to fill in a way, but it just keeps us hungry and wanting to back up what they did,” he said.
Why it Matters
Cameron Spalding’s journey to the Olympics is not only a testament to his individual talent but also highlights the growth of snowboarding as a sport on the world stage. His aspirations to increase interest in snowboarding through the Olympics resonate with many young athletes aiming to break into the scene. As he prepares to don the Canadian jersey, Spalding embodies the spirit of competition, camaraderie, and the pursuit of excellence that defines the Olympic experience. His participation is poised to inspire a new generation of snowboarders and elevate the profile of the sport in Canada and beyond.
