Canadian Jack Crawford narrowly misses podium in men’s Olympic downhill
It was heartbreak with a touch of satisfaction for Canadian Jack Crawford in the men’s downhill at the 2022 Olympic Winter Games in Beijing on Monday.
The 24-year-old from Toronto missed the podium by seven one-hundredths of a second (0.07) after laying down a near flawless run on the Yanqing National Alpine Skiing Centre course nicknamed The Rock.
Crawford had a narrow but brief lead at one point in the upper part of the 3152-metre course with a vertical drop of 894 metres, but time slipped away through the lower gates. He posted the second fastest time when he crossed the finish line but watched helplessly as his placing fell to third, then to fourth.
“Not that fun,” he said of the wait. “When I crossed the finish line I was super excited. I knew it would be a decent day, but I also knew there were a lot of guys who were big threats (still to come). And it only took two. Hopefully I can bring it out tomorrow and ski the way I’m skiing in super-G.”
Crawford finished in 1:42.92. Broderick Thompson, 27, of Whistler lost an edge and fell about halfway down the course and did not finish. He wasn’t injured. The third Canadian, Brodie Seger of Whistler, B.C., finished just out of the top 20, placing 22nd in 1:44.68.
“Until I went out it felt pretty good,” Thompson said of his run. “I was feeling strong, pushing the limit. Maybe a bit too much at the end there.”
Seger was naturally disappointed in his run “because I know I have the potential to do better, especially seeing Jack’s result today. I know I can be on par with him. But I had some nerves playing with me a bit today because I crashed in training… that was definitely on my mind …definitely a learning experience.
All three Canadians will race in tomorrow’s super giant slalom.
