Brittany Phelan took second place in an almost all-Canadian grand final on Saturday at the conclusion of the Ski Cross World Cup in Alleghe, Italy.
The Mont-Tremblant athlete put up a fierce fight with his teammate Marielle Thompson, who managed to maintain the lead of the race from start to finish to climb to the top of the podium.
Just behind, Phelan resisted attacks from Frenchwoman Marielle Berger Sabbatel to win her third medal of the season. She received silver in France, then bronze in Nakiska, Alberta. This is the fifteenth World Cup podium of Phelan’s career.
Also in this hard-fought grand final, Hannah Schmidt finished just off the podium.
“It was another good day. I am very happy with my skiing. It was a great battle in the grand final. I had a good start and was hoping to defend my third place, but Marielle [Berger Sabbatel] was excellent in coming back. I would have liked all three Canadians to finish on the podium, but that’s part of sport. I am very happy for my teammates,” commented Hannah Schmidt.
On the men’s side, his brother Jared saw his journey end during the quarter-finals and he is in 12e place in the final ranking dominated by his teammate Reece Howden.
Hannah Schmidt still occupies the provisional first place in the discipline among women with a total of 615 points. She is closely followed by Marielle Thompson (612), while Marielle Berger Sabbatel (590) and Brittany Phelan (474) follow in order.
“There is a hot fight for the top of the general classification. I’m still first and I’m very proud of it. I can’t wait for the next World Cup, I believe I can continue my momentum,” added the leader of the provisional ranking.
Reece Howden, for his part, took advantage of his triumph on Saturday to temporarily take control of the men’s race with a total of 476 points. The Swiss Alex Fiva (411) and Jared Schmidt (388) are second and third, in order.
The next Ski Cross World Cup will take place at the resort of Bakuriani, Georgia, from February 8 to 11.