Sochi team announcements to follow winning weekend
As the Canadian Olympic Team gets set to make major nominations this week with a large slate of medal contenders selected to freestyle skiing, snowboard and long track speed skating events, the nation’s winter athletes continued to rack up World Cup accolades.
Freestyle skiers shine
Leading up to Monday’s freestyle skiing announcement for Sochi 2014, freestyle skiers had a chance to show why they belong on the Canadian Olympic Team.
The known-quantity – Olympic champion Alex Bilodeau – won his third straight men’s moguls World Cup title at Val St. Come, Québec, edging his national teammate and friendly rival Mikaël Kingsbury.
Canadian women finished 1-2 in the moguls as well. Sisters Chloe Dufour-Lapointe (gold) and Justine (silver) stood atop the podium in their home province.
Dara Howell won two medals in as many days in women’s ski slopestyle at Park City, Utah. On Friday, she won silver with teammate Kaya Turski finishing third. The next day Howell returned to the podium with a bronze medal.
Harvey wins in Poland
Alex Harvey showed in Poland over the weekend why he could bring home Canada’s first Olympic medal in men’s cross-country skiing. On Saturday, he won the 1.5 kilometre sprint for his first full (non-stage) World Cup gold, which he followed up with a fourth place finish in a 15 km event on Sunday. Harvey’s previous World Cup win this season came in the opening stage of the Tour de Ski.
Lugers make history
Canada won an unprecedented three luge World Cup medals on Sunday. Alex Gough (silver) and Kimberley McRae (bronze) made luge history, marking the first time two Canadian women stood on a World Cup podium.
The foursome of Gough, Samuel Edney, Tristan Walker and Justin Snith won silver in the team relay, an event that will make its Olympic debut in Sochi. The event stands to give Canada a solid chance at its first Olympic luge medal, the team finished second overall in World Cup points.
Parrot places first
Max Parrot won his first World Cup in Stoneham, Québec on Sunday in men’s slopestyle. Snowboard Canada has announced its first five entrants for Sochi, the full roster is to be revealed on Tuesday in Québec City.
More triumphs from the week
