Calgary, Alta. (December 2, 2018) –  A great day for Quebecer Valérie Grenier,22, with her career best fifth place finish in today’s super-G in Lake Louise. Grenier delivered a fantastic performance with a solid run from top to bottom. Pushing out of the starting gate with bib number 32, Grenier skied her way into the top five on the leader board. This was Grenier’s best career result in any discipline on the World Cup circuit.

“That was amazing when I saw the number 5 on the board! I honestly couldn’t believe it, but at the same time I did, because my run felt good, it felt fast. Fifth place is just unbelievable, I’m so happy right now. In front of a Canadian crowd makes me even happier, I’m glad it is happening here. A great start for me, especially in super-G, I was feeling pretty good, I definitely wanted to do well. I was hoping for a top 15 so to be 5th shows me that I am skiing well and that I can go fast.” – said Grenier

As predicted, Marie-Michèle Gagnon’s 20th position finish was a huge leap in the rankings compared to both downhill races in the last two days in Lake Louise (40th and 44th respectively). Gagnon, 29, still finding her groove after a year-long recovery from injury, used this event as a stepping stone on her way to scoring better results in super-G this season. 

Fellow Canadian Roni Remme, 22, ended up in 36th position. The Collingwood, ON native had a few hesitations in the top portion of the course that cost her a little bit of time. 

Mikaela Shiffrin from USA won the race.

The men’s technical team was in Beaver Creek for the very first giant slalom event of the season. Erik Read, 27, was the lone Canadian to make it to the second run. Read’s 25th position finish in the first run earned him a spot as one of the top 30 skiers in the second run. 

Read, the three-time and current national giant slalom champion moved his way up the ranks in the second run today to finish in 19th position overall. This was a noteworthy first giant slalom race to kick off the winter season for Read in that discipline.

“Beautiful day here in Beaver Creek after tons of snow arrived, we skied in softer conditions than what we’ve seen in the past few days. I am happy that it’s a day that I can use to build from for the rest of the season.

I’m happy that I had a decent first run, got in, I moved up in the second run and I was happy with my skiing because I improved in the overall execution, just did a couple mistakes but the speed was there.” – said Read.

The two other team members of the Canadian men’s technical team, Trevor Philp and Morgan Megarry did not qualify for the second run. 

Stefan Luitz from Germany won the race.

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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.

About the Lake Louise Audi FIS Ski World Cup

The world’s fastest skiers descend on Alberta at the end of November each year to compete at the Lake Louise Audi FIS Ski World Cup. Held in the heart of the majestic Rocky Mountains at Lake Louise Ski Resort, Canada’s highest-profile alpine ski race features the first men’s and ladies’ speed events of the Audi FIS Ski World Cup season. First hosted in 1980, the Lake Louise World Cup event is the first outside Europe to be named to the prestigious Club 5, an organization that brings together the most famousand historic World Cup alpine race organizing committees. The event has become synonymous with the start of the ski season each winter. It also represents the only opportunity male and female Canadian alpine skiers have to win a World Cup on home snow. For more information please visit lakelouiseworldcup.com.

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Alpine Canada

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Alpine Canada 

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