Ski Cross World Cup | Hannah Schmidt takes her first victory of the season

(Montreal) Quebecer Hannah Schmidt won a fourth career gold medal, but her very first of the season on the ski cross World Cup circuit, Thursday, in Reiteralm, Austria.

“It went really well for me today. I was really quick and relaxed in my start and I was forward almost throughout the course, so that gives a little confidence,” mentioned Schmidt at the end of his descent which allowed him to climb on the top step of the podium.

Provisionally second after the start behind her teammate India Sherret, the Mont-Tremblant athlete took the lead in the third curve and maintained her position until the finish line, where she was able to celebrate her triumph.

“Coming back from my injury last February with this medal gives confidence and motivation for the rest of the season,” she commented.

In the last portion of the course, Schmidt was able to resist a push from Switzerland’s Fanny Smith, who ultimately obtained the silver medal. Canadian India Sherret completed the podium by taking third place ahead of Italian Jole Galli.

The 30-year-old skier will be back on the slopes on Friday, still in Reiteralm, where she will aim for a ninth career podium and a third this season, after being decorated with bronze in Arosa, Switzerland, before the holidays.

“I’m going to take the evening to rest and I hope to arrive at tomorrow’s start in the same state of mind as today: with confidence, energy and all that! Fingers crossed for another great race,” she concluded.

For her part, Brittany Phelan, who was making her return to the World Cup in Reiteralm, took part in the small final, finishing second in this start and sixth in the general classification. The one who already has 20 World Cup podiums will also be there on Friday.

In the men’s event, Jared Schmidt was unable to take part in the elimination races on Thursday due to his 37^e place for qualifications. The athlete from the Laurentians will be back in action on Friday.