WEST VANCOUVER — The mayhem that is skicross claimed its first Olympic victim Sunday afternoon.
Chris Del Bosco is used to it. In an athletic career that included a marijuana violation, a suspension by the U.S. Ski Team and alcohol rehab, what’s losing an Olympic medal when he could practically picture it on his wall in Vail?
That sad story overshadowed the glad story of skicross’ Olympic debut. The sport in which demolition derby meets NASCAR meets motocross lived up to its billing. On a sunny, 43-degree day, Del Bosco flew sideways into the air on the second-to-last jump and lost a third-place lead he worked so hard to get.
He wasn’t the only Colorado skicrosser who fell short, although Casey Puckett’s mere appearance was a victory in itself. But one month after shoulder surgery wasn’t long enough, and he failed to get out of the first round.
The other U.S. skier, Daron Rahlves, ended his fifth Olympics quickly when he also failed to advance out of the first heat, falling while in second place late in the race.
Del Bosco, however, stole a show that saw gold medalist Michael Schmid of Switzerland go unbeaten in four rounds. Del Bosco turned to his father’s Canadian citizenship to join a deeper team up north.
It has been a battle to get here, making the cuts under his right eye and on his nose seem very appropriate.
“I was coming down with some pretty good speed once I got into third,” said Del Bosco, his voice barely audible even by a microphone during the postrace news conference. “I was kind of closing and I thought I could make a move on the last two and make something happen, and I just bottomed out. It just didn’t work out. I wasn’t content with just . . .”
Del Bosco’s voice trailed off. The Canadian coach, Dave Ellis, said it would have been “a fairy tale ending” considering the life Del Bosco has led. The guy even had a downhill mountain bike title erased after a positive marijuana test.
In the final, however, he started out last. With top-ranked Schmid and No. 2 Andreas Matt of Austria rolling in front, seemingly Del Bosco’s only shot was catching Norway’s sixth-ranked Audun Groenvold.
Del Bosco caught him with two jumps left. However, Del Bosco flew off the first jump sideways as if he had been bounced off a trampoline. He did a face plant in the soft snow, letting Groenvold sail by him for the bronze.
Wearing a black Canada sweat shirt and black Canada stocking cap, he felt oddly Canadian despite his life in Vail.
“It’s been amazing,” he said. “Everybody is 100 percent behind me starting with the organization. I have tons of friends in Vail, and I’m representing them as well.”
Puckett also had a slow start, but he had an excuse. A month ago, he was on the operating table. Sunday, he had to push out of the gate with essentially one hand. He never got out of last place.
“The fact that I was on the operating table a month ago, then I fractured my shoulder two weeks later, I thought I might be sitting on my couch at this time,” Puckett said. “I’m proud of the effort I made to get here. I’m proud of my ride. It just doesn’t work out.”
John Henderson: 303-954-1299 or jhenderson@denverpost.com
