Calgary, Alta. (November 25, 2017) – Track conditions bettered considerably after yesterday’s one and only downhill training run and the fans came out in droves for the speed World Cup opener at Lake Louise. Under partly cloudy skies, visibility shifted from racer to racer.

Whistler, B.C.’s Broderick Thompson represented Canada’s biggest success story today finishing in 23rd-place, giving him his first World Cup downhill points. Starting with bib number 38, Thompson put down a solid run, lighting up the first two splits with the green light. The 23-year-old was visibly happy earning his first World Cup points.

“It feels pretty great to capture my first top 30 of the season at the opening World Cup speed race and to do it on home snow,” said Thompson. “I’ve been really focused in my training and I’m happy to see it pay off!”

This top 30 finish for Thompson is a step in the right direction towards qualifying for the PyeongChang 2018 Olympic Winter Games.

Manuel Osborne-Paradis (Vancouver, B.C.), who is the last Canadian to stand on the podium at Lake Louise, was Canada’s fastest racer of the day finishing in 20th-place.

“My skiing is where I need to be,” said Osborne-Paradis. “I needed the race edge today and I think the other guys took more risk than I was willing too. I’m feeling good about tomorrow’s super-G.”

Falling outside the top 30, Tyler Werry (36th), Benjamin Thomsen (43rd) and Jack Crawford (63rd) all represented Canada in today’s downhill.

Erik Guay (Mont Tremblant, Que.) did not start today’s race due to back pain suffered in earlier training.

It was a victory for Switzerland’s Beat Feuz in a time of 1:43.76. Matthias Mayer (AUT) finished in second-place, just +0.09 off the winning time and Norway’s Aksel Lund Svindal finished in third-place +0.32 seconds back.

The men are back in action tomorrow for a super-G race. Catch it live on cbcsports.ca or on CBC’s Road to the Olympic Games.

Full men’s results here.

The ladies’ raced a giant slalom in Killington, USA. Marie-Michèle Gagnon (Lac Etchemin, Que.) lead the Canadians with a 24th-place finish.

Germany’s Viktoria Rebensburg took the win in a time of 1:57.63 for her second victory of the season. USA’s Mikaela Shiffrin finished in second-place, +0.67 back and Italy’s Manuela Moelgg finished third, +1.49 back.

The ladies’ will have another shot at the podium tomorrow with a slalom race. Catch it live on cbcports.ca!

Full ladies’ results here.

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.