Valerie Grenier’s performance in the women’s giant slalom at the Mont-Tremblant World Cup was nothing short of remarkable. The Canadian skier secured a bronze medal with a combined time of two minutes and 17.18 seconds, trailing only one second behind the gold medalist, Alice Robinson of New Zealand.
Expressing her elation, Grenier shared, “It’s incredible. I don’t have many words to describe how I feel. I’m having a hard time believing it. Feels like a dream come true.” She emphasized the significance of winning a medal on home turf, stating, “Winning a medal here at home is really high on my list.”
Grenier’s coach, Laurent Praz, highlighted the team effort behind her success, noting that achieving a podium finish in Mont-Tremblant holds special value compared to European races. The bronze medal marked a redemption for Grenier after disappointing results in the season’s initial races.
This victory holds particular significance for Grenier, as it marks her return to the podium since her injury in 2024. Overcoming emotional hurdles, she expressed, “It was a big reaction, big tears in my eyes… I’ve been waiting for this for a long time, especially after the injury. It took time, and seeing that I’m back on the podium feels good.”
In a separate event, Robinson clinched her second consecutive victory, outperforming the competition to secure the top spot. The challenging conditions tested the skiers, with notable performances from Zrinka Ljutic of Croatia, Camille Rast of Switzerland, and Clara Direz of France.
Grenier led a Canadian contingent in the competition, with Britt Richardson and Cassidy Gray also making impressive runs. The event witnessed some unexpected challenges, as several top contenders failed to complete their runs due to the demanding course and snowy conditions.
The World Cup action continues with another giant slalom event scheduled for the following day. Fans can catch the live coverage on CBCSports.ca and CBC Gem as the athletes gear up for more thrilling skiing competitions.
