Alpine Skiing World Cup | Valerie Grenier takes her first win

We have to believe Valerie Grenier is on top of her game when she finds herself on the Kranjska Gora track in Slovenia. A year ago, Franco-Ontario had a career-best finish on this course with a fourth-place finish. However, that ranking is nothing compared to what she achieved on Saturday: Grenier picked up the first gold medal of her World Cup career.

This success in the first round allowed Grenier to be the last skater to start the next round. Cumulative time to victory: 1 minute and 55.38 seconds, achieved by Italian Marta Pacino.

Grenier took a clear run, being the only player to clock a time under 58 seconds in the second heat, on her way to her first career victory.

“I didn’t feel any pressure between the two runs and even before the start I was really calm. I managed to skate as well as I could and get first place, it’s just crazy. I don’t think I did anything more than usual.”

Valerie Grenier became the first Canadian since Cathy Kreiner of Ontario in 1974 to win a World Cup gold medal in giant slalom.

Troubled by injuries in recent years, this victory means a lot to Grenier who has long dreamed of that first medal on the track.

“It’s a huge mental victory too. Things were going really well before I got hit, but there were more difficult moments after that. I feel like I was starting from scratch at the time and I was looking forward to that kind of success, it feels so good,” she rejoiced.

Grenier and Pacino were accompanied on the podium by Slovakian Petra Vlhova (+0.40 seconds). Sarah Bennett finished 54^H He was unable to qualify for the second round.

And Grenier will want to continue his momentum on Sunday when another World Cup event in giant slalom takes place in Kranjska Gora.

“It would be amazing to be able to repeat everything tomorrow. I’ll focus on my skates and what I can control and we’ll see what happens.”

Karen Harjo, head coach for the Canadian women’s team, was very proud of Grenier.

“It’s an amazing achievement that really deserves the great efforts he put in throughout his career. For the team, it shows the great vitality we have, the girls push each other, they really support each other. Together we work hard, play hard, have fun, and good things happen.”

Before the start of the season, Grenier had entrusted him Journalism That his expectations were inflated, after his physical fitness and hard work with a mental coach. His stated goal was to sneak into the top 15 of the World Cup giant’s cumulative standings.

And why not be the first podium? The main interested party had approached the subject himself, but with a rant.

“I don’t like to say that because my best result is 11^H A place two years ago, even three, she said in October. I think this seems oddly off-kilter. At the same time, I know I can. I got close to him last year. Perhaps not necessarily a full result, but during descent. So I really believe in it. »

Severin will wait

Grenier also ended a five-game winning streak of American Mikaela Shifrin, who was the focus of attention for her pursuit of the record for most career wins on the women’s alpine skiing World Cup circuit.

Shiffrin, who finished sixth with France’s Coralie Fras Sompt, has a record of 81 wins, one ahead of compatriot Lindsey Vonn, who leads the all-time women’s rankings.

“I don’t mind talking about it and I’m not tired of it. I think that’s the way it is,” said Shiffrin, who finished 1.33 seconds ahead of Grenier.

Everyone will say ‘You have an 82 chance of winning^H Race and set the record “in every race, until the day I succeed – if I succeed.”

“So it doesn’t really make a difference. I always want to get on track and give my best skiing every single day. Today was the best I can do. He’s already won seven races since the start of the season, but maybe I can make some improvements for tomorrow,” added Shiffrin. .

With Andrew Dumpf, The Associated Press