Calgary, Alta. (January 7, 2023) – Valérie Grenier (St-Isidore, ON) climbed to the top of the podium at today’s FIS Alpine Ski World Cup Giant Slalom in Kranjska Gora, Slovenia. In her 90th World Cup start, this is Grenier’s first podium finish and she comes in a race in which she led after the first moto and also posted the fastest time in the second moto.
“It feels amazing! I have wanted this day for so long, it is a dream come true,” said a beaming Grenier. “I’m proud that I was able to stick together for the second race and to find a way to win after winning the first race. I thought there would be a lot of pressure, but I felt very calm and confident. I am very happy to have our team here. It was a lot of fun to see them at the finish line and celebrate with them.
“I am very proud of Val,” said Karin Harjo, head coach of the Canadian women’s alpine ski team. “It is an incredible achievement that is very well earned by all the hard work that she has put in throughout her career. For the team, this shows the strong dynamic we have, the girls pushing each other and really supporting each other. Together we work hard, we play hard, we have joy and good things are happening.”
The other Canadians who competed on a warm and cloudy day at Kranjska were Cassidy Gray (Invermere, BC), Sarah Bennett (Stoneham, QC) and Britt Richardson (Canmore, AB) and none advanced to the second race.
This is Canada’s first women’s World Cup podium in giant slalom since 2006 and the first GS World Cup victory since Kathy Kreiner stood on the Canadian podium in 1974.
Meanwhile, on a beautiful and unusually warm day in front of a large crowd in Adelboden, Switzerland, the men competed in the FIS Giant Slalom Alpine Ski World Cup. Erik Read (Canmore, AB) was the best Canadian finishing 15th and Trevor Philp (Calgary, AB), with the second fastest race of the day, finished 17th. Liam Wallace (Calgary, AB), Riley Seger (North Vancouver, BC) and Asher Jordan (North Vancouver, BC) failed to advance to the second race.
next race
The men’s technical skiers are back in Adelboden, Switzerland tomorrow, January 8.
Women’s tech continues in Kranjska Gora, Slovenia tomorrow, January 8.
The men speed up the return to racing in Wengen, Switzerland, from January 13-15.
The women’s sprint is in St Anton, Austria, on January 14.
The paraalpine racers have a break from the competition returning to action at the 2023 FIS Paraalpine Ski World Championships in Espot and La Molina, Spain, from January 18-30.
Ski cross has a break from World Cup racing until January 20 in 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, paraalpine and cross-country ski racing in Canada, as well as Canadian ski coaches, providing education, certification, insurance and code of conduct compliance for coaches. With the support of valued corporate partners and donors, along with the Government of Canada, Own the Podium, the Canadian Olympic Committee and the Canadian Coaches Association, Alpine Canada develops Olympic, Paralympic, world championship and world cup athletes to stimulate The visibility. , inspiration and growth in the ski community. In 2020/21, Alpine Canada celebrated 100 years of a rich tradition in competitive skiing in Canada.
