CHANGCHUN, China - Calgary's Warren Shouldice overcame windy conditions to claim a bronze medal in a World Cup aerials competition Saturday.
High winds forced cancellation of the men's aerials event Friday while the women managed to complete a one-jump final. Defending overall men's aerials champion Steve Omischl of Kelowna, B.C., finished fifth.
Toronto's Veronika Bauer of Toronto was fifth in the women's event.
The medal was the eighth of Shouldice's World Cup career. His lone World Cup win came here in 2005.
The volatile conditions caused several delays, but Shouldice, 25, was ecstatic with his result.
"I threw down two of the best jumps I've ever done in a competition," he said. "I was thrilled with the way it went."
Shouldice completed the qualifying round with a quadruple-twisting triple somersault to sit third overall.
Alexi Grishin of Belarus won captured the gold medal with 249.25 points. Ke Li of China was second in 244.52 while Shouldice took third with 238.90.
"I'm just thrilled to start off the season like this," said Shouldice.
Calgary's Kyle Nissen and Grand Prairie, Alta., aerialists Ryan Blais and Cord Spero all missed the final.
China's Shanshan Zhao won the women's event handily with 201.63 points. Compatriot Nina Li was second with 192.81 while Australian Lydia Lassila was third with 179.06.
Bauer finished with 175.18 points. Deidra Dionne of Red Deer, Alta., was 12th with 146.23.
Amber Peterson of Thunder Bay, Ont., finished 17th.
