Valerie Grenier of Ottawa, Ontario stunned the skiing world on Saturday by winning the gold medal in a World Cup women’s giant slalom event in Kranjska Gora, Slovenia. This was not only Grenier’s first World Cup gold medal of her alpine skiing career, but the first podium finish of her skiing career too.
Grenier had a two-run time of 1:55.01. Marta Bassino of Italy won the silver medal with a time of 1:55.38. Petra Vlhova of Slovakia won the bronze medal with a time of 1:55.41. Grenier reached the podium by 0.53 seconds over Federica Brignone of Italy, who had a time of 1:55.54.
In the World Cup women’s giant slalom standings, Grenier is now in seventh place with 167 points. Bassino is the leader with 380 points. The best World Cup result for Grenier prior to Saturday were two fourth place finishes. She was fourth in Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy on January 20, 2019 in a World Cup women’s super giant slalom race, and then fourth in a World Cup women’s giant slalom race in Kranjska Gora on January 8, 2022.
The gold medal for Grenier will give her confidence as she prepares for the 2026 Olympic Winter Games in Milan/Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy. The next Women’s World Cup giant slalom event is in Kronplatz, Italy on January 24.
