Canada's Valerie Grenier competes in the second run of the women's giant slalom in Cortina d'Ampezzo on Sunday.MARCO BERTORELLO/AFP/Getty Images
Canadian alpine ski racer Valérie Grenier had high expectations for the women’s giant slalom event on Sunday. The third-time Olympian thought she had a shot at the podium.
The 29-year-old from St-Isidore, Ont., raced to a 13th place finish, the best of four Canadians in the competition. It hurt to slip down the standings on Sunday after she had skied into eighth spot with her first run at Olympia Delle Tofane. It was the last of her four events at the Winter Games in Cortina d’Ampezzo, and she won’t be going home with a medal.
Grenier made headlines across Canada in December when she took bronze in the giant slalom on home snow at Mont Tremblant, which heightened expectations. She was also very comfortable in Cortina, where she finished third in the women’s downhill at a 2024 World Cup stop.
“Very disappointed with myself, because I had pretty high hopes for the GS, and I didn’t deliver at all,” said Grenier.
“It was really nice to have my family here at these Olympics, compared to Beijing and, I love Cortina, so I always have good feelings here, but right now it’s hard to see something positive.”
Grenier finished ahead of Britt Richardson of Canmore, Alta., 26th, Justine Lamontagne of St. Ferréol-les-Neiges, Que., 28th, and Cassidy Gray of Invermere, B.C, who did not finish.
But the day belonged to 35-year-old Italian wonder Federica Brignone, who took gold on home snow for the second time at these Games – Italy’s 20th at the Milan Cortina Olympics. The veteran carved down Sunday’s demanding course, making it look easy. Sweden’s Sara Hector and Norway’s Thea Louise Stjernesund tied for silver.
Italy's Federica Brignone shows the gold medal after the women's giant slalom race.Robert F. Bukaty/The Associated Press
Brignone became a legend of Italian Olympic sport with Sunday’s victory. Before her, only three had won two individual golds at a Winter Games: Alberto Tomba (Calgary 1988), Manuela Di Centa (Lillehammer 1994), and Francesca Lollobrigida (Milano Cortina 2026).
The disappointed Canadians perked up when asked to reflect on what Brignone has achieved in Cortina, a five-time Olympian and popular tour veteran from Milan who has earned double-gold after recovering from a serious leg injury suffered in April.
“I’m so impressed to see Fede do this in Italy,” said Grenier. “I’m really happy for her, and very inspired.”
The Canadians called Brignone one of the best leaders on the World Cup circuit.
“She’s always made it like a thing to come say hi and congrats,” said Lamontagne. “In my first year, I was like, ‘Wow, she’s one of the friendliest, and she’d always say hi, even when I’m a later bib.’”
Richardson marvelled at Brignone’s comeback.
“It’s humbling to the rest of us. She’s had like, what, 13 days on snow or something since her injury,” said Richardson. “So it’s unbelievable for her to be on top two days. I’m just inspired by her every day, and lucky to be racing alongside her.”
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