MONT-TREMBLANC –
Some bronze medals are worth their weight in gold. Valerie Grenier's third place in the women's giant slalom at the Mont-Tremblant World Cup certainly fits this category.
Grenier moved up two spots in Saturday's second run, finishing with a total time of 2 minutes, 17.18 seconds to take bronze in the first of two races at the ski resort northwest of Montreal.
The 29-year-old from Saint-Isidore, Ont., who grew up skiing in Mont-Tremblant, was one second behind gold medalist Alice Robinson of New Zealand, who claimed her second straight victory.
Croatia's Zrinka Ljutic (2:17.12) took second place, while Switzerland's Camilla Rast (2:17.39) and France's Clara Dires (2:17.69) rounded out the top five. American star Mikaela Shiffrin (2:17.83), third after the first run, was only 20th fastest in the second run and finished the day in sixth place.
Grenier made her first World Cup podium since finishing third in the downhill in Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy, in January 2024 – the fifth podium of her career.
Two days after her podium finish in Cortina, she suffered serious injuries to her right leg and knee that would sideline her until the 2024–25 season.
Once she won her medal on Saturday, she was visibly emotional at the finish line.
Grenier led the three Canadians to the second stage of the World Cup. Britt Richardson, ninth after the first run, finished 15th in 2:18.65. Cassidy Gray (2:20.33) placed 27th.
The course and constant snowfall throughout the first run seemed to cause trouble for several skiers, including some of the favorites.
Austrian Julia Scheib, who was leading the standings on the day, failed to complete her first run, as did Sweden's Sarah Hector, fifth in the rankings and first out of the gate on Saturday.
Only eight out of 50 skiers failed to reach the finish line.
The second giant slalom event is scheduled for Sunday.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 6, 2025.
