Emotional podium finish marks triumphant return for the St. Isidore alpine star
Canadian alpine skier Valérie Grenier delivered a memorable and emotional performance on Saturday, capturing bronze in the women’s World Cup giant slalom at Mont-Tremblant, Quebec—the resort where she grew up honing her skills and nurturing the ambition that has now become reality. For Grenier, the result was not just a medal, but a deeply personal milestone defined by perseverance, resilience, and the fulfillment of a childhood dream.
Her third-place finish came with a combined time of 2:17.18, earning her a spot on the podium in the first of two scheduled giant slalom races at the famed Quebec venue. The accomplishment was made even more meaningful by the fact that it unfolded before a home crowd filled with supporters, local fans, family members, and longtime mentors who have watched Grenier evolve from a young skier on the Tremblant slopes to an international competitor on the World Cup circuit.
A Special Moment on Familiar Snow
Grenier climbs two spots to secure podium finish
The 29-year-old skier from St. Isidore, Ontario, entered the second run in fifth place but delivered a clean, confident descent on the demanding Flying Mile course to move up two positions. She crossed the finish line one second behind New Zealand’s Alice Robinson, who claimed gold, and just shy of Zrinka Ljutic of Croatia, who secured silver.
Standing at the bottom of the course surrounded by thunderous cheers, Grenier struggled to put the significance of the moment into words.
“It’s incredible. I don’t have many words to describe how I feel,” she said, visibly moved. “I’m having a hard time believing it. It feels like a dream come true.”
Grenier had circled this weekend on her calendar long before the season began. A podium finish on home snow, at the very mountain that shaped her early skiing years, was near the top of her career goals.
“I really wanted it to happen this weekend. Winning a medal here at home is really high on my list,” she added.
A Turnaround After a Challenging Start to the Season
Bronze helps erase disappointment from earlier races
Before Saturday’s event, Grenier opened the season with 11th- and 13th-place finishes in the first two World Cup giant slalom races—results she characterized as disappointing and out of step with her potential. The podium finish at Tremblant provided the reassurance she needed.
“I knew I was capable of better than that,” she said. “To finally put down two clean runs, like I said I wanted, feels really good.”
Her coach, Laurent Praz, echoed that sentiment and emphasized the magnitude of the performance—not only for Grenier but for the entire Canadian contingent and the volunteers and organizers who worked tirelessly to bring World Cup racing back to Mont-Tremblant.
“It’s the dream of a lifetime for her. And for us too. Getting a podium here is the sum of all the work we’ve done,” Praz said. “A podium here is worth much more than a podium in Europe.”
A Powerful Comeback After Injury
First podium since recovery from serious leg and knee injury
Saturday’s bronze also marked Grenier’s first World Cup podium since January 2024, when she finished third in the downhill at Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy. Just two days after that result, Grenier suffered significant injuries to her right leg and knee—injuries severe enough to sideline her for the remainder of the season and require a long and demanding rehabilitation.
Returning to the podium nearly two years later, and doing so on Canadian snow, proved overwhelming for the skier who has battled both physical and emotional hurdles on her road back.
Grenier broke down in tears after stopping in the finish area, where teammates embraced her in celebration.
“It was a big reaction, big tears in my eyes,” she said. “I still can’t believe it happened. With my teammates jumping into my arms, it made me cry a lot. I’ve been waiting for this for a long time, especially after the injury. It took time, and seeing that I’m back on the podium feels good.”
Robinson Claims Second Straight Win
Tough course and snow conditions challenge the field
New Zealand’s Alice Robinson continued her strong start to the season, capturing her second straight World Cup giant slalom victory. She finished ahead of Ljutic by a razor-thin margin, posting a final time of 2:17.12. Robinson acknowledged that the variable conditions at Mont-Tremblant—particularly the constantly falling snow during the first run—made the win especially meaningful.
“I was a bit nervous this morning because the conditions here were so different compared to last weekend,” Robinson said. “I’m really happy to roll it through in these conditions, which were really tough today.”
Rounding out the top five were Switzerland’s Camille Rast in fourth and France’s Clara Direz in fifth. American star Mikaela Shiffrin, who sat third after the opening run, struggled in her final descent, producing only the 20th-fastest time of the round and finishing sixth overall.
Canadian Teammates Also Advance to Second Run
Three Canadians complete the event amid challenging terrain
Grenier led a contingent of three Canadian women into the second run of Saturday’s event. Britt Richardson, who delivered a strong opening run and sat ninth at the midpoint, ultimately finished 15th with a time of 2:18.65. Cassidy Gray placed 27th, clocking in at 2:20.33.
The course proved difficult for many in the field, with eight of the 50 competitors failing to finish their opening run. The combination of falling snow, variable visibility, and the natural demands of the Tremblant terrain created a layered test that exposed even some of the circuit’s most consistent skiers.
Among those who did not finish were Austria’s Julia Scheib, who led the discipline standings ahead of the event, and Sweden’s Sara Hector, ranked fifth and the first skier out of the gate.
Looking Ahead to Sunday’s Race
Tremblant hosts second World Cup giant slalom event
Mont-Tremblant will host the second of back-to-back women’s giant slalom World Cup races on Sunday, with the first run scheduled for 9:45 a.m. ET. Fans can watch live coverage on CBCSports.ca and CBC Gem.
For Grenier, Sunday presents another opportunity—not only to build on Saturday’s result but also to further cement her return to elite form.
Given the emotional significance of her podium finish, the momentum she carries, and the support of a home crowd eager to witness another milestone, Grenier will enter Sunday’s race with confidence and renewed determination.
A Moment That Transcends Sport
Homegrown success story resonates with Canadian fans
Grenier’s bronze medal symbolizes more than a strong athletic performance. It is a story of homegrown talent flourishing on familiar snow, of a local athlete returning to her roots in triumph, and of perseverance rewarded after a long and challenging comeback journey. For the Mont-Tremblant community, where Grenier first learned the sport, the weekend marks a celebration of shared pride.
For Grenier herself, it is a reminder that the path back from injury—no matter how long or difficult—can lead to moments that make the struggle worthwhile.
And for Canadian alpine skiing, her success serves as an inspiring sign of the nation’s growing competitiveness on the world stage.
