January 15, 2018
CAREER-FIRST WORLD CUP PODIUM FOR INDIA SHERRET
Calgary, Alta. (January XXX, 2018) – It was a massive day for India Sherret (Cranbrook, B.C.) in the Idre Fjall, SWE ski cross race, where she landed a career-first spot in the big final and her first ever World Cup podium, finishing in 3rd-place. This brings the Canada Ski Cross podium tally up to seven for the 2017-18 season.
The 2017 Overall Nor-Am Cup champion, rocketed out of the start in both the quarterfinals and semi-finals and she held onto her lead all the way down. The 21-year-old had an incredible performance today, advancing through heats stacked with the first and second-place ranked female ski cross athletes. Sherret showed impressive passes and consistent skiing through her heats, making smart choices. Staying calm and collected in the air, Sherret showed she’ll continue to be one to watch. Her previous best finish is eighth-place.
Eight Canadians qualified for today’s ski cross race, including four women and four men. All Canadian ladies’ advanced through the first round of heats with impressive performances.
Kelsey Serwa (Kelowna, B.C.) and Britt Phelan (Mont-Tremblant, Que.) were in the same semi-final heat, along with the first and fourth-ranked female ski cross athletes. It was a tough battle all the way down but the Canadians were unable to make up the gap set out by the Swedish and the Swiss right from the start.
Georgia Simmerling (North Vancouver, B.C.) and Sherret were in the same semi-final heat. It was a tought heat with Sherret leading the whole way down. Simmerling was unable to make a pass to advance to the big final.
Serwa, Simmerling and Phelan pushed out of the small final gate and handily went four, five and six to finish the day with four Canadians in the top-eight.
Four Canadian men earned spots in today’s race. Both Brady Leman (Calgary, Alta.) and Ian Deans (Lake Country, B.C.) advanced through the 1/8 finals. Leman battled hard in the quarterfinals making some good advancements and gains towards the bottom but was knocked out in the quarter finals with a photo finish. Deans was in a stacked heat of competition and was unable to make a pass to advance through to the semifinals.
Dave Duncan (London, Ont.) and Kevin Drury (Toronto, Ont). qualified for today’s run but were unable to make it past the 1/8 final round.
The racers had perfect conditions today with sunny skies and cold weather to keep the track in good condition. Racers will have a second chance tomorrow to race on the same track with another six podium spots up for grabs.
Canadian Ladies Results
3 – India Sherret
5 – Kelsey Serwa
6 – Georgia Simmerling
7 – Britt Phelan
Canadian Men’s Results
10 – Brady Leman
14- Ian Deans
25 – Kevin Drury
26 – Dave Duncan
ABOUT ALPINE CANADA
Alpine Canada is the national governing body for alpine, para-alpine and ski cross racing in Canada. With the support of valued corporate partners along with the Government of Canada, Own the Podium and the Canadian Olympic Committee, Alpine Canada develops Olympic, Paralympic, world championship and World Cup medallists to stimulate visibility, inspiration and growth in the ski community