'It's a dream come true': Canada's Valérie Grenier wins giant slalom gold in Slovenia
CBC
Canada's Valérie Grenier skied her way to the top of a World Cup podium for the first time in her career at a giant slalom event in Kranjska Gora, Slovenia, on Saturday.
Grenier, of St. Isidore, Ont., finished in a two-run combined time of one minute 55.01 seconds for her first-ever World Cup medal.
"I still can't believe it," Grenier said in a post-race interview. "It's a dream come true, I've been wanting this for so long I'm going to cry I'm so happy."
The 26-year-old is the first Canadian winner of a women's World Cup giant slalom race since Kathy Kreiner won in Pronften, Germany, in 1974.
WATCH | Grenier captures 1st World Cup medal with victory in Slovenia:
Italy's Marta Bassino (1:55.38) was second and Petra Vlhova of Slovakia (1:55.41) completed the podium. Grenier was able to hold off her challengers as well as any mid-race jitters.
"I'm really proud of myself, honestly," Grenier said. "I was a bit nervous that I would think about it too much but I felt so good before the second run, I felt so relaxed and excited to go. Everything was normal as if it was just another second run."
WATCH | Grenier talks about winning gold in Slovenia:
Grenier's victory comes two races after a disqualification in Semmering, Austria, where she was penalized for leaving the start gate too early.
"I think it almost put some fire inside of me to get my revenge, but it's revenge on myself because I messed up that day," Grenier said.
Meanwhile, American skier Mikaela Shiffrin's pursuit of Lindsey Vonn's women's World Cup wins record will go on for at least another day.
Shiffrin finished tied for sixth, ending her winning streak at five races.
The American remains stuck on 81 career wins — one victory away from Vonn's mark of 82 victories.
Shiffrin can still match Vonn in another giant slalom scheduled for the same course on Sunday.
