For the first time in 42 years, Team Canada has triumphed at the World Cup downhill race in Kitzbühel, Austria.
It was Jack Crawford etching his name into the annals of alpine skiing with a fast golden run of one minute and 53.64 seconds down the iconic Streif course as more than 45,000 fans bore witness.
Switzerland's Alexis Monney was just eight one-hundredths of a second behind in silver medal position (1:53.72) and Cameron Alexander represented the Maple Leaf well with bronze (1:53.86).
The last Canadian man to win the most fabled of all alpine races was Todd "The Heir Apparent" Brooker. He prevailed in 1983, with fellow Crazy Canuck Ken "The Student" Read finishing third. That season there were two DH races in Kitzbühel, and Steve "The Young One" Podborski placed second the day before Brooker and Read's double podium.
Crawford now owns his inaugural victory and fifth medal in 112 World Cup appearances.
"I’ve been looking for my first World Cup win for a while and for it to come in Kitzbühel is surreal. I don’t have words to describe the feelings," said Crawford to the media. "I’ve had good speed for a while now and I was able to go out today and ski free, with no expectations, and just send it from top to bottom. I’m still a little in shock but I think I’ll feel the win when I’m hoisting the Kits trophy tonight with my teammates and my parents.
"To celebrate this with Cam in third is incredible, and it’s special to be associated with Todd Brooker and Ken Read. They are legends who have played a role in supporting me in my career."
Alexander occupies sixth place in the Crystal Globe rankings at present, with Crawford moving into seventh.
Click here for more results from Kitzbühel.
