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Thompson wins as Canada take 1-2 in women’s ski cross

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Marielle Thompson narrowly edged out Canadian compatriot Kelsey Serwa to win the Olympic women's ski cross title at the Sochi Games on Friday.

The two Canadians, who seized control of the race from the start, gave their country a third gold and silver double in the freestyle skiing events.

Sweden's Anna Holmlund took bronze after French veteran Ophelie David had a crash that took her out of medal contention.

"I'm really glad our freestyle team has been so successful here. It's so great that we can finish it off with a bang," said Thompson, after Canada also had one-twos in both men's and women's moguls.

Serwa, the 2011 world champion, added: "It's the water. We just have a really good programme and we're really supportive of each other and push each other.

"We've been watching each other all week and getting fired up every time Canada gets on the podium."

The medals ensured Canada finish top of the freestyle skiing table with four golds, one more than the United States.

(left to right) bronze Medallist Anna Holmlund  silver medallist Kelsey Serwa and gold medallist Mar...
(left to right) bronze Medallist Anna Holmlund, silver medallist Kelsey Serwa and gold medallist Marielle Thompson celebrate at the Women's Freestyle Skiing Ski Cross Flower Ceremony at the Rosa Khutor Extreme Park on February 21, 2014
Franck Fife, AFP

For Thompson, women's World Cup champion in 2011/12, it was even better to be standing alongside a friend and teammate on the podium.

"I'm really, really excited, I'm so glad I get to share this moment with Kelsey up here.

"It's amazing for our country. I'm so proud I could bring it home to Canada and keep it in Canada."

Four years ago in Vancouver another Canadian, Ashleigh McIvor, won gold. She is now retired.

Serwa very nearly did not make it to the final as she trailed at the back of her semi-final until the last jump.

Only a mistake by reigning world champion Fanny Smith of Switzerland, who had been leading the semi-final until losing her balance, allowed Serwa to sneak into the final.

"In ski cross anything can happen. I never give up until I cross the finish line," she said.

"That was just one of the works that was in play there.I was in fourth out of the start and all the way down to the last turn.

Ophelie David competes in heat 8 of the Women's Freestyle Skiing Ski Cross 1/8 Finals at the Ro...
Ophelie David competes in heat 8 of the Women's Freestyle Skiing Ski Cross 1/8 Finals at the Rosa Khutor Extreme Park on February 21, 2014
Javier Soriano, AFP

"One of the girls fell in front of me so I avoided her and at that point it was just a race to the line."

Holmlund won Sweden's first ever medal in ski cross and their first in freestyle skiing for 20 years.

"It's really special, the first medal in ski cross for Sweden. It's a good beginning for us," she said.

"Of course you want to win a medal (but) the competition is really hard. It was harder and harder for every race I still don't realise I have a bronze medal."

Marielle Thompson narrowly edged out Canadian compatriot Kelsey Serwa to win the Olympic women’s ski cross title at the Sochi Games on Friday.

The two Canadians, who seized control of the race from the start, gave their country a third gold and silver double in the freestyle skiing events.

Sweden’s Anna Holmlund took bronze after French veteran Ophelie David had a crash that took her out of medal contention.

“I’m really glad our freestyle team has been so successful here. It’s so great that we can finish it off with a bang,” said Thompson, after Canada also had one-twos in both men’s and women’s moguls.

Serwa, the 2011 world champion, added: “It’s the water. We just have a really good programme and we’re really supportive of each other and push each other.

“We’ve been watching each other all week and getting fired up every time Canada gets on the podium.”

The medals ensured Canada finish top of the freestyle skiing table with four golds, one more than the United States.

(left to right) bronze Medallist Anna Holmlund  silver medallist Kelsey Serwa and gold medallist Mar...

(left to right) bronze Medallist Anna Holmlund, silver medallist Kelsey Serwa and gold medallist Marielle Thompson celebrate at the Women's Freestyle Skiing Ski Cross Flower Ceremony at the Rosa Khutor Extreme Park on February 21, 2014
Franck Fife, AFP

For Thompson, women’s World Cup champion in 2011/12, it was even better to be standing alongside a friend and teammate on the podium.

“I’m really, really excited, I’m so glad I get to share this moment with Kelsey up here.

“It’s amazing for our country. I’m so proud I could bring it home to Canada and keep it in Canada.”

Four years ago in Vancouver another Canadian, Ashleigh McIvor, won gold. She is now retired.

Serwa very nearly did not make it to the final as she trailed at the back of her semi-final until the last jump.

Only a mistake by reigning world champion Fanny Smith of Switzerland, who had been leading the semi-final until losing her balance, allowed Serwa to sneak into the final.

“In ski cross anything can happen. I never give up until I cross the finish line,” she said.

“That was just one of the works that was in play there.I was in fourth out of the start and all the way down to the last turn.

Ophelie David competes in heat 8 of the Women's Freestyle Skiing Ski Cross 1/8 Finals at the Ro...

Ophelie David competes in heat 8 of the Women's Freestyle Skiing Ski Cross 1/8 Finals at the Rosa Khutor Extreme Park on February 21, 2014
Javier Soriano, AFP

“One of the girls fell in front of me so I avoided her and at that point it was just a race to the line.”

Holmlund won Sweden’s first ever medal in ski cross and their first in freestyle skiing for 20 years.

“It’s really special, the first medal in ski cross for Sweden. It’s a good beginning for us,” she said.

“Of course you want to win a medal (but) the competition is really hard. It was harder and harder for every race I still don’t realise I have a bronze medal.”

AFP
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With 2,400 staff representing 100 different nationalities, AFP covers the world as a leading global news agency. AFP provides fast, comprehensive and verified coverage of the issues affecting our daily lives.

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