Mike Robertson in action
VANCOUVER, BC ● A trio of Canadian snowboarders are calling it quits after sustaining multiple injuries over the course of their careers.
Olympic snowboardcross silver medallist Mike Robertson, plus teammates Francois Boivin and Dan Csokonay announced their retirement from the national team on Tuesday.
Robertson, who reached the pinnacle of his career at the 2010 Vancouver Games with his second-place finish, decided to hang up his snowboard boots after a head injury derailed his season last year.
“The decision to retire was a hard one to make,” Robertson said in a press release. “I had different plans in mind and would have loved to represent Canada at another Olympics. I didn’t want an injury to end my career, but after two years of struggling with concussion symptoms and trying to recover again and again, I had to make the best decision for my long-term health.
“I would like to thank everyone who helped me along the way, especially my teammates for the good times and memories. I wish them the best of luck in the future!”
The 27-year-old native of Canmore, Alta. competed in 30 events on the World Cup circuit over a five-year span.
Boivin is a National Snowboardcross Team veteran with 115 world cup starts under his belt, beginning in 1999. The Jonquière, Que. native is a two-time Olympian whose best finish was a silver medal at the 2005 world championships in Whistler, B.C., but didn’t close the door on competition just yet.
“I don’t want to say I’m retiring, as I plan to compete from time to time,” Boivin said. “However, I’ve been struggling with an injury for a couple of years and life on the road can be difficult with a young family. I am looking forward to going back to school and having more time to focus on my career and family.”
Journeyman Csokonay also joined the retirement parade Tuesday, having completed a three-year stint on the national team.
His career-best finish was just shy of the podium, a 2010 fourth-place effort in Lech am Alberg, Austria.