Canadian ski cross racer Kevin Drury scores emotional gold-medal win

Canada's Kevin Drury fought for a gold medal that left him in tears at the Ski Cross World Cup on Friday in Val Thorens, France.

Drury found himself fourth early in the big final before taking an aggressive position on the track's first negative corner, taking a lead that he did not relinquish.

“I actually don't know what happened there. I just knew I was fourth, so I was going to set up that negative result. [turn] and try to get as much speed as possible on that jump,” the Toronto native said after the race.

“I think they all made little mistakes and I flew past them, so again, [a] a little bit of luck with ski cross, but I feel like I'm pretty good at reading the situation in front of me and making the right decisions, and I think I just did that.”

Simone Deromedis of Italy, who won gold on Thursday, won silver after a photo finish with Austria's Tristan Takacs, who took bronze.

WATCH | Drury fights for a gold medal in Val Thorens:

Drury scores his first Ski Cross World Cup win in 5 years for Canada

Toronto's Kevin Drury came back from last place to win Friday's ski cross World Cup final race in Val Thorens, France.

The race marked Drury's first gold medal in five years, and the two-time Olympian was in tears during his post-race interview.

“I mean, it's just work that goes on behind the scenes. [The tears] just show how much I care and how much I want it,” the 37-year-old said.

Drury was surrounded by his Canadian teammates after crossing the line, which he said showed how close the group is.

“It just shows the strength of Team Canada, doesn't it? We really care about each other,” Drury said. “We want each other to do well, it just lifts everyone’s spirits. So I'm really excited about this season for the whole team. I think there are some really good things ahead.”

Reece Howden of Cultus Lake, British Columbia, finished first in the small final and was fifth overall for the day.

WATCH | Drury reacts to his first ski cross win in 5 years:

Canadian Drury 'really happy for the whole team' after winning his first World Cup ski race in five years

Toronto's Kevin Drury won the big ski cross World Cup final race in Val Thorens, France.

On the women's side, Sweden's Sandra Näslund won her second consecutive gold medal in Val Thorens.

France's Marielle Berger Sabbatel and Switzerland's Fanny Smith won silver and bronze respectively.

Three Canadian women made it to the semi-finals, but Britt Phelan, Courtney Hoffos and Hannah Schmidt ended up in the small final. Phelan finished second in this event and took sixth place overall for the day, while Hoffos and Schmidt did not make it to the small final.

Earlier in the day, fellow Canadian India Sherret had an accident and had to sled off the track.

WATCH | Canadian Sherret suffered in the crash:

Canadian Sherret was injured after a ski cross accident at the World Cup in France

India Sherrett, of Cranbrook, British Columbia, crashed hard Friday at the Ski Cross World Cup race in Val Thorens, France, and had to be carried off the course by sled.

The next round of the Ski Cross World Cup starts on Sunday in Arosa, Switzerland.