Calgary, Alta. (January 7, 2023) – Valérie Grenier (St-Isidore, ON) raced to the top of the podium in today’s FIS Alpine Skiing World Cup Giant Slalom at Kranjska Gora, Slovenia. In her 90th World Cup start this is Grenier’s first podium and comes in a race where she led after the first run, and also posted the fastest time in the second run.

“It feels amazing! I’ve wanted this day for so long, it’s a dream come true,” said a beaming Grenier. “I’m proud that I was able to keep it together for the second run and to find a way to win after winning the first run. I thought that there would be a lot of pressure, but I felt really calm and confident.  I’m so happy to have our team here. It was so fun to see them at the finish and to celebrate with them.

“I am so proud of Val,” said Karin Harjo, Head Coach of Canada’s Women Alpine Ski Team. “It’s an incredible accomplishment that is so well earned for all the hard work that she has put in through her career. For the team this shows the strong dynamic we have, the girls push each other, and they really support each other. Together we work hard, we play hard, we have joy and good things are happening.”

The other Canadians racing on a warm, cloud covered day in Kranjska were Cassidy Gray (Invermere, BC), Sarah Bennett (Stoneham, QC) and Britt Richardson (Canmore, AB) with none advancing to the second run.

This is Canada’s first women’s World Cup podium in giant slalom since 2006 and first World Cup GS win since Kathy Kreiner stood on top of the podium for Canada in 1974.

Meanwhile, on a beautiful, unseasonably warm day in front of a large crowd in Adelboden, Switzerland, the men raced in the FIS Alpine Skiing World Cup Giant Slalom. Erik Read (Canmore, AB) was the top Canadian finishing 15th and Trevor Philp (Calgary, AB), with the 2nd fastest second run of the day finished 17th. Liam Wallace (Calgary, AB), Riley Seger (North Vancouver, BC) and Asher Jordan (North Vancouver, BC) missed out on advancing to the second run.

Next Race

Men tech skiers are again in Adelboden, Switzerland, tomorrow, January 8th.

Women tech continue in Kranjska Gora, Slovenia, tomorrow, January 8th.

Men speed return to racing in Wengen, Switzerland, January 13-15.

Women speed are in St Anton, Austria, January 14.

Para-alpine racers have a break from competition returning to action at the FIS Para Alpine Ski World Championships 2023 at Espot and La Molina, Spain, January 18th to 30th.

Ski cross has a break from World Cup racing until January 20th at Idre Fjäll, Sweden.

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For more information or media inquiries please contact
Mark Halliday 
mhalliday@alpinecanada.org I 403-777-3204

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 2020/21, Alpine Canada celebrated 100 years of rich tradition in competitive skiing in Canada.