Canadians Britt Phelan and Reece Howden both collected bronze medals in ski cross World Cup competition on Sunday in Italy.
Phelan was third behind gold medalist Sandra Naslund of Sweden and Fanny Smith of Switzerland.
For his part, Howden, 23, from British Columbia, was third behind winner Ryan Regez of Switzerland and France’s Bastien Midol.
“This course is always fun. The speeds are high and the ice is hard, ”noted Howden.
A 30-year-old native of Mont-Tremblant, Phelan is back on the World Cup circuit after a long recovery period following a torn anterior cruciate ligament in one knee in February 2020.
Phelan is having a strong start to the season, after winning a silver medal in Val-Thorens, France earlier in December. She also placed in the top 10 on three occasions.
“It’s been a really good day,” said Phelan, a 2018 Olympic Games silver medalist in South Korea.
“I’ve been very consistent all year round and I’m happy with the way things are going when I come back after two years out with an injury. “
Their compatriots Marielle Thompson and Kevin Drury both finished in fifth place.
Drury is on his way back after suffering a broken leg.
“The more playoffs I do, the better I start to feel and gain confidence,” Drury remarked. “Today was remarkable, with real good starts and with growing confidence in each race. “
As for Thompson, an Olympic gold medalist in Sochi in 2014, she is recovering from a second major knee surgery. The most recent dates back to last March, following a torn anterior cruciate ligament.
His comeback has been successful so far with a gold and two World Cup bronze.
Members of the Canadian team will take part in one final race in Italy before heading home for the holiday break. They will then prepare for a World Cup event in Nakiska, Alta., Jan. 13-15.