Calgary, AB. (Feb 2, 2024) — Britt Richardson (Canmore, AB) won Canada’s first gold medal at the FIS Junior World Ski Championships in Haute-Savoie (FRA) in today’s women’s giant slalom (GS). This is Canada’s first win in an individual event at Junior Worlds since Valérie Grenier won the downhill in 2016 and Richardson is the first Canadian women to be crowned junior world champion in GS since Mélanie Turgeon in 1994.

Racing in her third, and final Junior World Championships, Richardson was the leader after the first run and then delivered the second fastest second run to win the race by a convincing .81 of a second. Today was Richardson’s sixth career start at Junior Worlds, and her third top 15 result.

“I’m really excited to be a World Junior Champion,” said smiling Richardson. “I’ve been wanting this for a couple of years now and to finally claim it today is super special. A big thank you to everyone who has supported me in my career and for their help in getting me to the gold medal here today.”

“It was really fun racing out there today,” added Richardson. “There were lots of super competitive girls in the race and it was fun pushing the limits and going for gold.”

Other Canadians competing in the women’s GS today were Kendra Giesbrecht (St. Albert, AB) who finished 38th, Amélie Bourgeois (St-Bruno, QC) who started 69th and jumped up to 27th in the first run but didn’t finish her second run. While Andreea Nicolici (Ottawa, ON) and Arianne Forget (Prévost, QC) did not finish their first run, and Estelle Martin (Outremont, QC) did not start today.

In today’s men’s slalom (SL) at the Junior World Championships Pierick Charest (Blainville, QC) stood 18th after the first run and finished in 19th. Jesse Kertesz-Knight (Jasper, AB) was 40th after the first run and did not finish his second run. Thomas McKinlay (Ottawa, ON) didn’t finish his first run.

The Junior World Ski Championships wrap up on Saturday with the women racing SL and the men GS. Fans can tune in to all the action on FIS TV (link).

Next races: (link to FIS Calendar)

Ski cross race again in Alleghe (ITA) on Feb 3.

Junior World Ski Championships wrap up in Haute-Savoie (FRA) on Feb 3.

Men’s alpine race SL in Chamonix (FRA) on Feb 4.

Women’s alpine will be in Soldeau (AND) for races Feb 10 and 11.

Para-alpine head to Sapporo (JPN) on Feb 10-15.

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

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.