Silver slated

THE CANADIAN PRESS

SAINTE-ADELE, Que. -- Olivier Rochon signalled his return to the World Cup circuit with a silver medal in the aerials competition Sunday at the Canada Post Grand Prix at Ski Mont Gabriel.

The result was a career-best for the Gatineau, Que., resident, who was named the circuit's top rookie in 2009.

It was Rochon's first official competition since being suspended by the Canadian team for disciplinary problems in July 2010.

"After being off the circuit for so long, I was very nervous before my first jump," Rochon said. "I was still a bit in the semifinal when I knew I had to have a good jump.

"But in the final, I told myself that the hardest part was already behind me and I knew what I had to do. So I decided to have fun."

Russia's Pavel Krotov won gold, while Japan's Naoya Tabara captured the bronze medal at the event north of Montreal.

Travis Geritts of Milton, Ont., finished a career-best fifth. Jean-Christophe Andre of Saint-Hubert, Que., was 14th.

"I'm very happy," said Geritts, who hit his chin on his knee during a landing in the second round, an injury that required several stitches. "I had high hopes for this weekend.

"Finishing fifth is very good, but I would have liked to get to the final."

Olga Volkova of Ukraine won the women's event ahead of American Emily Cook and Australian Laura Peel.

No Canadian women were entered in the competition.