Canadian skier Kevin Drury clinched a gold medal at a World Cup ski cross competition on Friday in Val Thorens, France. Drury made a remarkable comeback from fourth place in the big final by taking an assertive line into the first turn, propelling himself into the lead for the win.
Reflecting on his victory, Drury expressed surprise at his success and credited his ability to read the race dynamics and make quick decisions. Simone Deromedis of Italy secured the silver medal after a close finish with Austrian Tristan Takacs, who claimed bronze.
This triumph marked Drury’s first gold in five years, leading to an emotional moment during the post-race interview as tears rolled down his face. Drury emphasized the hard work put in behind the scenes, showcasing his dedication and passion for the sport.
Drury’s Canadian teammates celebrated his victory, highlighting the cohesive and supportive nature of Team Canada. Reece Howden also performed well, finishing first in the small final to secure fifth place overall for the day.
On the women’s side, Sweden’s Sandra Naeslund secured her second consecutive gold medal at Val Thorens, with France’s Marielle Berger Sabbatel and Switzerland’s Fanny Smith taking home silver and bronze, respectively. Despite three Canadian women reaching the semifinals, only Britt Phelan managed to secure a second-place finish in the small final, landing her in sixth place overall.
In an unfortunate incident, Canadian skier India Sherret suffered a crash and had to be evacuated from the course on a toboggan. The upcoming World Cup ski cross event is set to kick off in Arosa, Switzerland on Sunday.
