The , competitions in ski cross at the Milano Cortina Olympic Winter Games proved unexpectedly challenging for the Canadian team, marking the first time Canada has failed to secure a podium finish in the event since its Olympic debut at Vancouver 2010. While the conditions presented difficulties for all competitors, a combination of recent illness and challenging course conditions contributed to a disappointing day for Marielle Thompson, Brittany Phelan, and Hannah Schmidt.
Impact of Illness
Brittany Phelan, a seasoned ski cross racer with a silver medal from Pyeongchang 2018 and a fifth-place finish in Beijing 2022, revealed that a recent COVID-19 infection hampered her preparation. “I was quarantined in my room for three or four days,” Phelan stated. “It wasn’t the optimal preparation, but I wasn’t too sick [to compete]. I just didn’t want to infect other athletes.” This period of isolation significantly disrupted her training regimen leading up to the event.
Challenging Course Conditions
Heavy snowfall in the days preceding the competition impacted the Livigno Snow Park course, slowing the 1,190-metre track with a 154-metre vertical drop. These conditions, combined with the inherent unpredictability of ski cross, created a difficult environment for all racers. Marielle Thompson noted the impact of the snow, stating, “The ends of the track weren’t very fast today with the fresh snow.”
Thompson’s Quarterfinal Exit
Marielle Thompson, a gold medalist in Sochi 2014 and silver medalist in Beijing 2022, entered the Games with high expectations, even carrying the Canadian flag during the Opening Ceremony alongside Mikaël Kingsbury. However, she was eliminated in the quarterfinal round. Thompson described a slow start as a key factor in her performance. “I didn’t start well and then I was stuck behind Linnea [Mobaerg] and Marielle [Berger Sabbatel],” she explained. “I couldn’t build a rhythm.”
Schmidt and Phelan’s Quarterfinal Struggles
Hannah Schmidt and Brittany Phelan also faced elimination in the quarterfinal stage. Competing in the same quarterfinal heat, they finished just two tenths of a second from advancing. Phelan acknowledged the closeness of the race, saying, “My quarter-final was really close. I’m disappointed with the result, but hey, that’s the reality of ski cross.”
German Dominance
Germany’s Daniela Maier secured the gold medal in dominant fashion, having topped both the seeding run and all four knockout rounds, including Thompson’s quarterfinal. Switzerland’s Fanny Smith took silver, and Sweden’s Sandra Naeslund earned bronze. Maier’s victory underscored the competitive nature of the event and the challenges faced by the Canadian team.
Broader Canadian Olympic Performance
The disappointing results in ski cross are part of a broader trend of challenges for Canada at the Milano Cortina Games. Canadian athletes also faced setbacks in men’s aerials, with Lewis Irving and Emile Nadeau finishing seventh and ninth, respectively, and failing to qualify for the final. Canada’s final opportunity to secure an aerials medal will come in the mixed-team event on .
Thompson’s Resilience Despite Injury
Thompson’s participation in the Games itself was a significant achievement, given her recovery from a serious knee injury sustained in . She described the injury as a dislocation with associated fractures, stating, “I essentially dislocated my knee and broke some things. Nothing good.” Despite the severity of the injury, Thompson expressed pride in her ability to compete. “I probably shouldn’t even be here, so I’m happy and proud of everything I’ve done, to make it here,” she added.
Looking Ahead
The Canadian ski cross team’s performance at the Milano Cortina Games highlights the unpredictable nature of competitive sports and the impact of factors beyond athletic skill, including illness and environmental conditions. While the results were undoubtedly disappointing, the team’s resilience and determination, particularly Thompson’s return from injury, offer a glimpse of hope for future competitions.
