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First podium, first victory: Valérie Grenier wins the first giant slalom in Kranjska Gora.
Mathias Germannreporter sports
It’s a mistake that draws laughter from some and pity from others. Just over a week ago, Valérie Grenier (26) was leading after the first run of the giant slalom in Semmering (Austria) when she was disqualified. The reason: she triggered her starting gate too early.
Awkward? Perhaps. But rather clumsy. One thing is for sure: no one is laughing at Grenier anymore. The Ontario woman, who learned to ski in the famous ski resort of Mont-Tremblant, surprises everyone in Kranjska Gora (Sln) and wins. “I’m really proud of myself. A dream comes true,” she says, beaming.
First Canada triumph since 1974
Grenier is the first Canadian since Kathy Kreiner in January 1974 to be the fastest in a World Cup giant slalom. Kreiner? Exactly, she triumphed in Innsbruck in 1976 in the Olympic giant slalom ahead of the recently deceased Rosi Mittermaier (1950-2023).
Grenier would also love to win giant slalom gold one day, and the next chance to do so is on February 16 at the World Championships in Méribel (Fri). One thing is already clear: Grenier will also try to break the giant pecking order that has been stuck for a long time. While she is on a World Cup podium for the first time in Kranjska Gora, her defeated opponents have done so much more often. Second is Marta Bassino (26 podium places), third is Petra Vlhova (64), fourth is Federica Brignone (49) and fifth is Lara Gut-Behrami (67).
Grenier succeeds in revenge
The origin of Grenier’s moment of glory in north-western Slovenia dates back almost three years. And it’s tragic. Review: On February 6, 2019, she takes off after a wave during training for the World Cup downhill in Are (Sd), she first saves herself and continues along the B-Netze. But then the tip of her left ski got caught in the mesh, Grenier was thrown around and was left badly injured. The diagnosis is devastating: broken tibia and fibula, as well as a broken ankle.
When Grenier gets back on skis for the first time after a long healing and rehabilitation phase, she is overjoyed. Everything is going well. But then, during the first speed training, suddenly nothing works anymore. “I was afraid. A feeling I’ve never had before,” Grenier told CBC. She was at the edge of the slope and stopped at her trainer. “I started crying because I was ashamed of my fear.” Shortly thereafter, Grenier decides never to contest a descent again. “In the back of my mind was the thought that I could hurt myself again.” Since her decision, Grenier has actually never contested a downhill run, only super-Gs and giant slaloms.
Back to top. Is Grenier still thinking back to the mishap at the start in Semmering, at the greatest moment of her career? The answer follows immediately: Yes. “This experience kindled a fire in me, I wanted my revenge – but only for me, because I screwed it up that day.” The fact is: Grenier managed this revenge impressively.
Attention ski fans! Now quiz and type races
The 2022/2023 ski season is coming up and with it the “Blick Ski Trophy”: answer questions every day, type ski races and crown yourself as ski champion. Lots of great prizes await.
To take part in the “Blick Ski Trophy”, you have to register here.
Have fun and good luck!
The 2022/2023 ski season is coming up and with it the “Blick Ski Trophy”: answer questions every day, type ski races and crown yourself as ski champion. Lots of great prizes await.
To take part in the “Blick Ski Trophy”, you have to register here.
Have fun and good luck!