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The undisputed queen of Canadian ski cross proves once again she’s a force on the World Cup circuit as Marielle Thompson snagged second-place in the second last race of the Audi FIS Ski Cross World Cup Cross Alps Tour. Making today’s women’s podium even sweeter, Thompson was joined by teammate Georgia Simmerling, who finished the race in third-place after leading the whole way down in the big final. This is Simmerling’s best result after taking a hiatus from ski cross to pursue track cycling at the Rio Olympics. She has shown tremendous progression during the course of the 14 day tour, picking up three ninth-place finishes, then an eight-place finish and making her comeback complete, was today’s podium result. Today’s top spot on the women’s podium belonged to Germany’s Heidi Zacher.
“I’m stoked to get back on the ski cross World Cup podium today!” said Simmerling. “Jumping head first back into ski cross with five World Cup races in under three weeks has tested my patience and frustration levels for sure. I also think it’s been the best way to get back as quick as I can to where I left off two years ago.”
As for Whistler, B.C.’s ski cross star, Thompson clinched the Audi FIS Ski Cross World Cup Cross Alps Tour title and continues to hold the overall ski cross title.
It was a huge day for the women on the Canada Ski Cross team with Brittany Phelan securing a career-best seventh-place finish, making it to the small final for the first time in her ski cross career. Previously Phelan’s best result was a 12th-place finish. The 25-year-old is making gains on the circuit as she takes her lead from Canadian teammates who are proving they are among the best in the world.
Today marked the final leg of the four stop, Audi FIS Ski Cross World Cup Cross Alps Tour. The final two races are held on the Innichen (ITA) track for back-to-back races. London, Ont.’s Dave Duncan has won twice at this venue in back-to-back races in 2013. This year’s track resembles terrain and features from previous years. With an injected bottom section, the course is fast! With more turns, including difficult negative turns, than any other tracks so far this year, there was a big emphasis on technical racing.
On the men’s side, Kevin Drury had the best Canadian result of the day, finishing in sixth-place. Drury squeaked through to make it into the quarterfinals and in another close call, qualified for semi-finals. Finishing the small final in second-place, Drury adds another top-ten finish to his list of growing accomplishments.
On the men’s podium, Slovenia’s Filip Flisar took first-place, Germany’s Tim Hronek took second-place and Switzerland’s Alex Fiva finished in third-pace.
Chris Del Bosco and Kelsey Serwa, veterans on the Canada Ski Cross Team, are currently sidelined with minor injuries and are being monitored day-to-day by team doctors to ensure they return to snow as soon as possible.
Today’s race was notably missing last year’s crystal globe winner, Anna Holmlund (SWE) after a scary crash in training (more information on which can be found here). Alpine Canada and Canada Ski Cross wishes her a speedy recovery.
Canadian Women’s Results
2 – Marielle Thompson
3 – Georgia Simmerling
7 – Brittany Phelan
Canadian Men’s Results
6 – Kevin Drury
10 – Brady Leman
25 – Dave Duncan
27 – Kris Mahler
ABOUT ALPINE CANADA
Alpine Canada is the national governing body for alpine, para-alpine and ski cross racing in Canada. With the support of valued corporate partners along with the Government of Canada, Own the Podium and the Canadian Olympic Committee, Alpine Canada develops Olympic, Paralympic, world championship and World Cup medallists to stimulate visibility, inspiration and growth in the ski community.
