Valérie Grenier had her best result of the season in a World Cup super-G on Saturday in Sankt Anton am Arlberg, Austria. The skier from the Mont-Tremblant club and best Canadian of the day collected a 23e place, finishing 2.04 seconds behind the winner, Italian Federica Brigone.
Grenier’s compatriot, Marie-Michèle Gagnon, finished in 26e rank, trailing the Italian by 2.41 seconds. The Swiss Joana Haehlen (+0.54 s) and Lara Gut-Behrami (+0.66 s) were the other skiers to step on the podium. Canadian Stefanie Fleckenstein did not reach the finish line.
PHOTO JOE KLAMAR, AGENCY FRANCE-PRESSE
Federica Brignone
An error that occurred at the bottom of the course heavily penalized Grenier, both in the standings and on the clock.
There was a big corner which was very difficult and where several girls had difficulty, including me. I arrived really quickly and as soon as we passed a bump, we had to be really clean on the right ski. I didn’t do that and went too far to the right. I panicked a bit
Valerie Grenier
“I almost missed the next door. »
The 26-year-old skier was able to cross the last four gates of the route, except that the damage was already done.
“It’s a shame, but in the end, when I think about my day today, there are good things to remember. Again, that’s a step forward for me in super-G. It feels good to be in the points (top-30) and to have skied good parts of the course. »
Valérie Grenier’s victory in the giant slalom in Kranjska Gora, Slovenia, on January 7, certainly gave her confidence, except that the athlete adds that the scope of this first place also has its limits.
“For me, it doesn’t change much in super-G. In my head, the super-G is so different and I’m still learning. It had been a little while since I had done it and I still felt a little like I was new. It is still a work in progress. »
The downhill originally scheduled for Sunday was replaced by another super-G as the practice runs could not be contested.