Thompson wins gold, Leman takes silver at ski cross World Cup stop

AROSA, Switzerland – Canada’s freestlye ski team continued its early success on the World Cup ski cross circuit this season, as Marielle Thompson won a gold medal and Brady Leman claimed a silver in races on Tuesday.

Thompson, from North Vancouver, B.C., picked up her second gold in three races this season. She was second out of the gate in the big final but quickly pulled into first led for the rest of the race.

Karolina Riemen-Zerebecka of Poland was second andFrance’s Ophelie David was third.

“It’s been great to win two of three races,” Thompson said. “I’m going to keep skiing how I’ve been skiing with everything going according to plan.

“There was a great atmosphere here in Arosa. A big crowd came out.”

Thompson now has 25 career World Cup ski cross podiums to her name.

Calgary’s Leman earned his second straight second-place finish, crossing the finish line just behind Switzerland’s Romain Detraz. Jean Frederic Chapuis finished today’s race in third-place.

“It feels good to get on the podium and get some momentum into the season,” Brady said. “It’s where I expect to be so itfeels good to put it together on race day.

“In today’s semifinal I wasn’t where I needed to be but with some good coaching at the bottom, I set up for a pass andmade it into the finals. The night race was awesome and the course looked great under the lights.”

The next race is Saturday in Montafon, Austria.