Canadian Olympic silver medalist Brittany Phelan of Sainte-Agathe-des-Monts, Quebec and Canadian Olympic gold medalist Marielle Thompson of North Vancouver, British Columbia each won medals on the weekend in two separate World Cup events in women’s ski cross from Val Thorens, France. Phelan, who won the silver medal at the 2018 Olympic Winter Games in Pyeongchang, placed second on Saturday, and Thompson, who won the gold medal at the 2014 Olympic Winter Games in Sochi, was third on Sunday.
In the women’s ski cross event on Saturday, Phelan placed behind gold medallist Sandra Naeslund of Sweden, and ahead of bronze medalist Marielle Berger Sabbatel of France. Phelan won her quarterfinal heat, and then placed second behind Naeslund in the semifinal, and again in the final.
In the women’s ski cross event on Sunday, Thompson placed behind Naeslund, who won her second gold medal on the weekend, and silver medalist Fanny Smith of Switzerland. Thompson won her quarterfinal and semifinal heats before placing third in the big final. It was the ninth World Cup career medal for Phelan and the 47th World Cup career medal for Thompson in her miraculous World Cup women’s ski cross career.
In the World Cup women’s ski cross standings for 2021-22, Phelan is in third place with 175 points, and Thompson is in eighth place with 84 points. Naeslund leads with 300 points. The medals for Phelan and Thompson will give them confidence as they prepare for the 2022 Olympic Winter Games in Beijing.
