Idre Fjall, SWE (Jan. 20, 2019) – Canadians Brittany Phelan (Mont-Tremblant, Que./Mont-Tremblant Ski Club), Kelsey Serwa (Kelowna, B.C./Big White Ski Club), and Marielle Thompson (Whistler, B.C./Whistler Mountain Ski Club) raced into the World Cup big final in ski cross action on Sunday, placing 2nd, 3rd, and 4th, respectively.

The trip to the podium was the first of the season for Phelan and Serwa.

“I was really hoping to stay in touch with the group, and get on the draft and ski perfectly, get on their back sides to the bottom. It worked out pretty well,” said Phelan who earns her fourth career World Cup podium, and her first on her favourite course in Idre Fjall. “I came in hot at the end, close to (race-winner) Fanny (Smith of Switzerland) and I needed a little more track to get there. I’m super happy to be second.”

For Serwa, Sunday’s result was her 20th career World Cup podium, and third bronze.

“I feel pretty good. This season has been a full start for me, missing out on the pre-training sessions. I knew it was going to be a slow climb up, and sure enough, this is our fifth World Cup of the season, and it finally feels good to be on the podium, most importantly alongside my best bud Britt Phelan.”

Thompson finished fourth for the second time this season, having raced in every big final so far, earning three podiums out of five including Saturday’s silver-medal performance in Idre Fjall.

All of Canada’s entries in the ladies’ ski cross race landed in the top-20, with India Sherret (Cranbrook, B.C./Kimberley Alpine Team), Abby McEwen (Edmonton/Sunridge Ski Club), and Mikayla Martin (Squamish, B.C./Whistler Mountain Ski Club) finishing 10th, 12th and 19th respectively.

On the men’s side, the top Canadian of the day is Kevin Drury, 30, from Toronto, who made it into the quarter-final and raced into 16th position. Chris Del Bosco (Montreal and Vail, Col./Ski and Snowboard Club Vail) and Brady Leman (Calgary/Calgary Alpine Racing Club) were unable to get past the eights, finishing 20th and 29th respectively. Kevin MacDonald (Mississauga, Ont./Milton Heights Racing Club ABSX) finished 36th and Zach Belczyk (Banff, Alta./Sunshine Ski Club ABSX) placed 39th.

The next event on the World Cup circuit bring Canada’s team and the top ski cross racers from around the world to home snow at Blue Mountain Resort for the only Canadian stop on this season’s calendar.

Canadians can support national team athletes such as Thompson and her teammates on ski cross, alpine, and para-alpine national teams by enjoying a day on the slopes themselves. Alpine Canada has partnered with the Canadian Ski Council, Snowboard Canada, and Freestyle Canada – as well as more than 100 Canadian ski resorts across the country – to deliver National Ski and Snowboard Day, Jan. 26-27, 2019. Proceeds from every ticket purchased at HitTheSlopes.ca go back into supporting Canada’s high-performance athletes in alpine, para-alpine, ski cross, freestyle, and snowboarding.

Celebrate today’s podium results by joining the Medallists’ Circle

For the 2018-19 ski racing season, Alpine Canada is inviting ski fans to join the Medallists’ Circle. Donors are invited to commit a pledge for each podium performance by an Alpine Canada athlete this season at World Cup and World Championship events. All funds raised through the Medallists’ Circle will provide Canada’s alpine, para-alpine, and ski cross athletes with the resources needed to reach for the podium. For further information, please visit AlpineCanada.org.

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ABOUT ALPINE CANADA

Alpine Canada is the governing body for alpine, para-alpine and ski cross racing in Canada, as well as for Canadian ski coaches, providing education, certification, insurance and compliance with the coaching code of conduct. With the support of valued corporate partners and donors, along with the Government of Canada, Own the Podium, the Canadian Olympic Committee and the Coaching Association of Canada, Alpine Canada develops Olympic, Paralympic, World Championship and World Cup athletes to stimulate visibility, inspiration and growth in the ski community. In 2020, Alpine Canada will celebrate 100 years of rich tradition in competitive skiing in Canada.