(Vancouver, BC) captured the fourth FIS Alpine World Cup downhill podium of his career today, finishing third in Val Gardena, ITA to lead an impressive overall result for the Canadian Alpine Ski Team.
Teammate Erik Guay (Mont-Tremblant, QC), who twice had the fastest downhill training run earlier this week, also had a solid day, placing fifth with Robbie Dixon (Whistler, BC) providing a strong late result, taking 13th spot for his career best DH result despite wearing bib #49.
The 24-year-old Osborne-Paradis charged down the Saslong course to finish in a time of one minute 51.11 seconds.
“This was big. It was good for me. I have been so close to being on the podium and just haven’t been able to do it. To finally get on that step was a big achievement for me,” said Osborne-Paradis, who earned his fourth podium in 58 career World Cup starts.
Osborne-Paradis had placed 22nd and 37th in downhill training runs earlier in the week in Val Gardena before grabbing 13th spot in yesterday’s super G.
“I just pulled it together today. Today is what counts,” he said. “In races to come I hope to be better in the training because there is no reason why I shouldn’t and, yes, it does make it harder for me on race day.”
Austrian Michael Walchhofer was the winner today, the 14th victory of his career, with American Bode Miller returning to form to finish second.
John Kucera (Calgary, AB) placed 22nd to round out the Canadian performances.
This is the third World Cup podium result of the season for the Canadian Alpine Ski Team, following Kucera’s second place finish in the super G in Lake Louise, AB late last month and Guay’s third place performance in Beaver Creek, USA downhill a week later. There were seven North Americans in the top 10 spots in today’s race.
Coverage of today’s men’s downhill from Val Gardena is on the Pontiac Alpine Ski Series on CBC at 2 p.m. ET with the ladies super G from St. Moritz beginning at 5 p.m. ET. Radio-Canada also has coverage of both today’s super G from St. Moritz and the men’s race in Val Gardena starting at 12:30 ET.
Also note that yesterday’s men’s super G race from Val Gardena, ITA can be seen on Rogers Sportsnet East today at 4:30 p.m. and West at 5 p.m. in those areas. Be sure to check your local listings as broadcast times are subject to change without notice.
