PyeongChang, KOR. (February 21, 2018) – The ladies were back at the Jeongseon Alpine Centre track today for the downhill competition with 21yr old Valérie Grenier (St-Isidore, ON) leading the Canadian Team, finishing in 21st-place.

It was another perfect day for ski racing with calm winds and warmer temperatures allowing for fantastic racing conditions on the Jeongseon track.  The ladies executed three training runs, looking to master the rolling terrain and big air thrown at the competitors. With 8 of 39 athlete’s not finishing the race, it was those who mastered the line and stayed focused throughout their run who made it to the finish.

It was overall World Cup downhill leader, Sofia Goggia (ITA) in her first Olympic Games who took home gold today, crossing the line in a time of 1:39.22.  Norway continued the alpine medal haul at these Games with Ragnhild Mowinckel claiming silver (+0.09sec) to go along with her silver medal from the giant slalom.  Rounding out the podium was race favourite Lindsey Vonn (USA), who finished +0.47 seconds behind the Olympic champion Goggia.

21yr old Valérie Grenier (St-Isidore, ON) wrapped up her first Olympic speed events having gained critical experience on the highest of International competition and executing her game day plan. Grenier finished +2.91 seconds off the pace today. “I’m happy with my skiing today and it felt good to make all the gates today,” reported Grenier post race. When asked how it feels to have her family here, Grenier said, “It’s amazing. When I saw them at the finish line it was an instant smile on my face.”

Roni Remme (Collingwood, ON) finished her Olympic downhill debut in 23rd-place, +3.58 seconds off the lead-time.  Remme has been focused on the alpine combined and entered into the downhill to gain track time and miles on her long boards. “It was so much fun and I really tried to bring up my intensity, which caused me to make more mistakes today,” said Remme from the mixed media zone. “I know where I need to be now and I know how much intensity I can bring, so in some sections I need to be more patient and now that I know where that is, I can put together an aggressive run tomorrow.”

Also looking for incremental track time to prepare for the alpine combined was 23yr old Candace Crawford (Toronto, ON), who unfortunately did not finish today’s downhill. In a test to figure out the best line, Crawford’s direction was a little too tight and caused her to miss a gate. “I took the double leading into the second jump a little too direct and when I took off, I realized in the air it was going to be a little tight to make the gate,” stated Crawford from the finish. “I’ll tweak my line for tomorrow but will take the same mental approach as I did today and just send it for the combined tomorrow.”

Top 5 results:
Gold – Sofia Goggia (ITA)
Silver – Ragnhild Mowinckel (NOR)
Bronze – Lindsey Vonn (USA)
4 – Tina Weirather (LIE)
5 – Alice McKennis (USA)

Canadian ladies’ downhill results
21 - Valérie Grenier
23 - Roni Remme
DNF - Candace Crawford

Full results here.

Next alpine events will be the men’s slalom at 8:00pm EST and the ladies alpine combined at 9:30pm EST.

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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.