Val Grenier followed up a “dream come true” having a chance to race giant slalom at Mont-Tremblant, Que., with a memorable finish on the mountain where she learned to ski.
Grenier placed sixth of 30 finishers on Sunday with a two-run time of two minutes 12.68 seconds and 73-100ths of a second behind Federica Brignone’s 2:11.95, the Italian’s second victory in as many days.
WATCH Brignone wins gold again:
Featured VideoA day after becoming the oldest woman to win a World Cup giant slalom race, Brignone again tops the podium in Quebec.
Before the weekend, Canadian women’s alpine head coach Laurent Praz believed Grenier could reach the podium, and she was third in Sunday’s second run (1:04.69). The St. Isidore, Ont., native was 11th after a 1:07.99 opening run.
“The snow wasn’t so bad, it was more so the wind that was sweeping up the snow and we couldn’t see much,” Grenier said. “There were one or two gates where I couldn’t see the next one.
“It was kind of a wild ride, I was going down the hill like, `oh, this is crazy,’ but it was fun.”
Praz thought the Tremblant course is especially suited to Grenier’s abilities.
The slope consists of two steep sections early that are each followed by lengthy flats, something that fits Grenier because she’s “more or less” the best in the world at transferring speed from vertical to horizontal parts of a course.
A week ago, she was fifth at a GS in Killington, Vt., won by Swiss skier Lara Gut-Behrami (2:12.28), who was second on Sunday in front of American star Mikaela Shiffrin (2:12.34).
WATCH l Brignone skis to gold in Saturday’s World Cup giant slalom:
Featured VideoItaly’s Federica Brignone was the fastest at the FIS Alpine Ski World Cup women’s giant slalom race in Mont-Tremblant, Que.
The women’s World Cup giant slalom races in Mont-Tremblant were the first of their kind at the Laurentians ski resort since 1983.
“It feels so good to see everyone who came here today and yesterday, I can’t really believe how many people came to see us,” said Grenier. “It really warms your heart.
“A crowd like this is what makes racing fun.”
Cassidy Gray of Panorama, B.C., finished 24th in 2:14.49. Grenier and Gray were the only Canadians to advance to the second run scheduled for Sunday afternoon.
“It’s really special for me,” said Gray. “This gives me a lot of confidence, and I know I can do even more. I’m looking forward to the rest of the season.”
Justine Clement of Stoneham, Que., and Justine Lamontagne of Mont Sainte-Anne, Que., missed the cut at 50th and 53rd, respectively. Sarah Bennett, also of Stoneham, and Britt Richardson of Canmore, Alta., did not finish.