Calgary, Alta. (February 6, 2023) — Racing started today at the 2023 FIS Alpine World Ski Championships in Courchevel and Méribel, France, with Canada’s Marie-Michèle Gagnon (Lac-Etchemin, QC) finishing 10th in the women’s alpine combined.

Racing in her eight world championships, Gagnon stood 18th after the super-G, the first leg of the alpine combined. Gagnon jumped eight spots with her slalom run to ultimately finish in 10th. This is Gagnon’s fifth world championships top 10 and her second world championships top 10 in the alpine combined.

“Today was a lot of fun,” said a smiling Gagnon. “I haven’t raced slalom in a few years, but it was important to race on this hill and to get a feel for the mountain and the snow. This is a good way to start the world championships and I’m looking forward to the next races.”

Valérie Grenier (St-Isidore, ON) also competed in today’s opening race of the world championships. Second out of the gates in the super-G, Grenier briefly sat in the leader’s chair before ending the super-G in ninth place. Grenier was 16th in the slalom part of today to finish in 14th place in the alpine combined.

The Alpine World Ski Championships continue Tuesday with the men’s alpine combined. The women race again on Wednesday in the super-G. For more information on the world championships, including the full schedule, please visit the FIS website at fis-ski.com.

CBC Sports will be providing extensive coverage of these world championships. To learn more, please visit CBC Sport at cbc.ca/sports/Olympics.

Follow Canada’s Ski Team this season on Alpine Canada’s website, across our social media accounts and subscribe to our newsletter.

Upcoming races:

Para alpine racers are in action this week at the FIS Para Alpine Ski World Cup stop in Saalbach-Hinterglemm, Austria, February 8 through 11.

Ski cross resumes World Cup racing in Reiteralm, Austria, February 16 and 17.

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For more information or media inquiries please contact:

Mark Halliday
Alpine Canada
403 777 3204
media@alpinecanada.org

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.