Canadian ski cross teammates claim gold, silver, bronze at World Cup event in Sweden
Phelan, Sherret take top 2 spots in women's race as Howden finishes 3rd in men's final
Canada continued its strong World Cup ski cross season on Friday in Idre Fjäll, Sweden.
Brittany Phelan of Mont-Tremblant, Que., won gold and India Sherret of Cranbrook, B.C. earned silver in the women's big final, while Reece Howden of Cultus Lake, B.C. snagged bronze on the men's side.
With just one race for both the women and men remaining in the season — scheduled for Saturday back in Idre Fjäll — it is Canada's Marielle Thompson who leads the Crystal Globe race with a 67-point edge over France's Marielle Berger Sabbatel. Phelan is the only other competitor within striking distance of Thompson, sitting 103 points behind in third place.
Thompson, the 31-year-old two-time Olympic medallist from Whistler, B.C., placed fifth on Friday, winning the small final to claim 450 points. Phelan, who owns an Olympic silver of her own, took home 1,000 points with her gold medal.
WATCH | Phelan, Sherret go 1-2 in Sweden:
The victory marked the second in three races for Phelan.
"It was awesome today," she said. "Feels really good to get a second win, two is better than one, and it was cool to cross the finish line and see India there with me. Made some smart tactical decisions today that played out well and looking to do the same tomorrow."
Sherret noted that slow conditions on the course made racing more challenging.
Tiana Gairns of Prince George, B.C., placed seventh while Abby McEwen of Edmonton was 10th.
Meanwhile Howden, 25, remains within range of his third career Crystal Globe, sitting less than 40 points behind Sweden's David Mobaerg, who won gold on Friday.
Switzerland's Alex Fiva, who is second overall, placed fourth, while Italy's Simone Deromedis skied to silver.
Gavin Rowell, of Prince George, B.C., won the small final as Ottawa's Jared Schmidt landed in seventh.
WATCH | Howden takes bronze:
