Alpine Canada | News | Leman has won Gold in the Career Final

Canada wins 10th Ski Cross Nations Cup

Calgary, Alta. (March 18, 2023) – Brady Leman (Calgary, AB) ends his career at today’s 2022_23 FIS Ski Cross World Cup Final at Craigleith Ski Club in Collingwood, Ontario. Today’s win puts an exclamation point on a illustrious 15-year career that has included Olympic gold and marked the day Canada won its world-leading 10th ski-cross Nations Cup. He has won his second consecutive Canada Cup and his sixth in eight seasons.

Leman consistently came out of the gates quickly and then used his experience to make bold passes on the tight track. This is Leman’s 32nd podium and the sixth of his career, with all four of his wins coming on Canadian snow.

“I’m so excited! This is the best way to go out,” said Leman happily. “I wanted to leave everything out today. It was a battle every round and I fought hard all day. I was a little lucky in the final, but I had to put a surprise on an amazing course. I love racing, I’ve always liked racing!”

“It was a crazy emotion today,” added Leman. “This morning there were some tears and a lot of emotions, but I tried to stay focused. I’m very happy to have my family and friends here, and to be with my teammates.”

“Today captures what Brady is all about,” said Stanley Hayer, Alpine Canada head coach, Ski Cross. “He has always found a way to deliver in big races. I think that is what will leave him with this program. That it doesn’t come easy, but if you keep fighting and keep pushing, good things will happen.”

On the women’s side, Marielle Thompson (Whistler BC) finished second with a third place finish yesterday and Brittany Phelan (Mont-Tremblant, QC), in her first race of the year, finished third.

“I wanted to beat what I did yesterday, and I did that, so I’m pretty happy,” Thompson said. “I think I could have done a little more today, but I’m happy to share the podium with Britt. It has taken so long to come back from the injury, I am very proud of him”.

“I couldn’t be happier with how it all turned out,” Phelan said. “It’s been a tough couple of days getting used to the bigger and faster track, so today I wanted to ski like I normally do. I tried to make good turns and be patient, and I did quite well.’

Three more Canadian women finished in the top 10 today, with Tiana Gairns (Prince George, BC) placing sixth, Courtney Hoffos (Windermere, BC) following yesterday’s podium in 7th and Abby McEwen (Edmonton, AB) in 9th. Hannah Schmidt (Ottawa, ON) finished 13th.

Antoinette Tansley (Calgary, AB), India Sherret (Cranbrook, BC) and Zoe Chore (Cranbrook, BC) also raced today, but missed out on qualifying.

While all eyes were on Lema today, two Canadian men finished in the top 10 with Kris Mahler (Canmore, AB) in 7th, and yesterday’s winner and Crystal Globe holder, Reece Howden (Cultus Lake, BC) in 9th.

Other Canadian men competing today were Jared Schmidt (Ottawa, ON) 13th, and Kevin Drury (Toronto, ON), Carson Cook (Edmonton, AB) and Gavin Rowell (Prince George, BC) tied for 17th, Zach Belczyk ( Banff). , AB) will come on the 25th.

Andrew Wilson, Zachary Reynolds and Callum McEwen failed to progress from qualifying this morning.

Canada has led the ski cross World Cup standings for most of this season and extended their lead this weekend thanks to excellent team results. The Nation Cup was first introduced for ski cross in 2008 and Canada has won the Nations Cup in 10 of the 16 years it has been presented.

“This is a very special team,” said Stanley Hayer, Alpine Canada, Head Coach, Ski Cross. “Obviously Reece and Marielle have been great, but it’s really been a team effort this season with everyone contributing. And it’s great for us to send Brady off with a team win, it’s a great representation of what he’s given to our sport and our country.”

At the 2022_23 FIS Alpine World Cup Finals in Soldeau, Andorra, Amelia Smart (Invermere, BC) was Canada’s best women in slalom today with an 11th-place finish, one of her eight top 30s in 11 World Cup starts this season. Ali Nullmeyer (Toronto, ON) finished 12th and world championships gold medalist Laurence St-Germain (St. Ferréol-les-Neiges, QC) did not finish the second race.

In today’s men’s World Cup semi-finals in giant slalom, Erik Read (Canmore, AB) was the only Canadian to qualify, but he did not finish his second round today.

Next Race

The end of the Alpine World Cup semi-final in Soldeau, Andorra, tomorrow, Sunday, March 19.

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For more information or media inquiries, please get in touch
Mark Halliday
mhalliday@alpinecanada.org I 403-777-3204

About Alpine Canada
Alpine Canada is the governing body for alpine, para-alpine and ski cross racing in Canada, as well as for Canadian ski coaches, covering education, certification, insurance and a coaching code of conduct. With the support of valued corporate partners and donors, the Government of Canada, Own the Podium, the Canadian Olympic Committee and the Canadian Coaches Association, Alpine Canada develops Olympic, Paralympic, World Championship and World Cup athletes to increase visibility. , inspiration and growth in the ski community. In 2020/21, Alpine Canada celebrated 100 years of rich tradition in competitive skiing in Canada.