Smith and Leman shine in Blue Mountain
Jan 26, 2019·Ski Cross
The FIS Audi Ski Cross World Cup was back on track this Saturday in Blue Mountain (CAN), with Fanny Smith (SUI) storming to victory in the ladies’ competition, while Brady Leman (CAN) jumped on top of the men’s podium in front of the home crowd.
Following a couple of days of bad weather that caused cancellation of yesterday’s qualifications, the sun was again on the menu in Ontario, just in time to play along for what turned out to be one of the most exciting day of racing so far in the 2018/19 campaign.
With plenty of tight heats, spectacular passes, numerous photo-finishes, a huge crowd that gathered along the course, as well as some real drama in the final phase of the finals, the race in Blue Mountain was without a doubt one for the books.
In the ladies’ competition it was Fanny Smith, who raced for her career’s 17th victory, also taking her fourth top finish this season. While stying behind Marielle Thomson (CAN) for most of the final heat, Smith came with a surprise pass in the lower section of the course, jumping ahead of the local favourite just before the last turn.
Smith crossed the finish line in first, while Thompson, who showed some impressive skiing on the day, had to settle for the second spot.
“This time I was not leading the race from the begging so I really had to think how to chose my line, the way how I ski and do my best until the finish line,” said Smith. “That’s why I like ski cross and all that passing makes the game fun.”
Alizee Baron (FRA) rounded out the ladies podium in third for her first podium finish this season, while another Canadian in the ladies’ big final Brittany Phelan came in fourth after crashing into safety netting.
With the win on Saturday Smith increased her advantage in the World Cup standing over Thompson to 105 points. Sandra Naeslund (SWE) sits in third, losing to the Swiss skier more than 150 points.
Things were equally exciting over on the men’s side of the event with Brady Leman pushing it hard in front of the home crowd to earn his first win of the season. Again the last, flat section of the course appeared to be the decisive one, as Leman was drafting through that part and passed Johannes Rohrweck (AUT) on the inside.
Also Marc Bischofsberger looked like he was going to overcome Rohrweck just before that final turn, but instead they both ended up loosing their balance on the roller and crashed. That left Leman crossing the finish line on his own and making all the fans go wild as they saw their favourite skier back on top of the podium on his beloved course.
“It’s always amazing to race here in Canada with so many fans coming to cheer us on”, said Leman. “It’s my third win on this track and I just love racing here. I’m super, super stoked.”
Capitalising on the crash, Bastien Midol jumped into second, while Rohrweck crossed the finish line in third, also for his first podium of the season.
In the World Cup ranking Bastien Midol continues to lead the field with 415 point, with Jean-Frederic Chapuis (FRA) following up in second with 254 points, and Alex Fiva (SUI) sitting in third with 243 points.
The World Cup athletes will now head to Solitude Mountain Resort for the upcoming 2019 Utah FIS Snowboard, Freestyle and Freeski World Championships slated to go down on February 2. The Audi FIS Ski Cross World Cup will be back in action on February 15-17, with back-to-back races scheduled to take place in Feldberg (GER).
QUICK LINKS
