Jack Crawford narrowly misses World Cup super-G podium in Wengen

Just four one-hundredths of a second separated Jack Crawford from super-G bronze on Friday in Wengen, Switzerland. 

Ultimately, the Whistler Mountain Ski Club (WMSC) product settled for fourth in a time of one minute and 48.27 seconds. Franjo von Allmen earned gold on his home snow (1:47.65), Austria's Vincent Kriechmayr struck silver (1:47.75) and Stefan Rogentin completed the podium (1:48.23).

Crawford did notch his tenth career super-G top 10 result as fellow Whistlerite Cameron Alexander placed eighth. Both raced in ideal conditions in front of a passionate, flag-waving crowd. 

"I’ve been coming to Wengen for about five years and this was the best prep it’s been. It was joy to ski today," said Crawford in a press release. "Hurts the ego a little coming fourth again, but I’m hoping to bring the exact same approach and hopefully tomorrow, and down the road, I can stand on top of the podium.

"I’m feeling good heading into tomorrow’s downhill. It’s been a bit of a journey finding confidence on my skis again but I’m feeling comfortable and wiling to push so I think anything can happen."

Team Canada returns to the fray on Jan. 18 in Wengen, with more results from today available here.

Ski cross recap

Cranbrook native India Sherret achieved her second victory of the ski cross campaign in Reiteralm, Austria: besting runner-up Fanny Smith and Hannah Schmidt who finished third. 

Brittany Phelan wound up fourth, and local standout Marielle Thompson was eighth. 

"Super happy with the win today and with my racing so far this season," Sherret told reporters. "I’ve been doing a pretty good job of skiing relaxed, knowing my plan and executing.  This is my first time leading the overall standings so I’m pretty excited, but trying not to spend too much time thinking about it as I know I need to keep focus on my racing." 

Meanwhile Kevin Drury, now a veteran of 100 World Cup races, secured bronze on the men's side. 

He commented in a release: "I had no idea it was my 100th World Cup start so a podium is pretty sick and feels awesome. It was pretty rough and rowdy out there and I was having fun! I’m really proud of my mental attitude which was to just send it and I was in that flow state where things felt slow, but were fast." 

Canadian ski cross athletes head out to Veysonnaz, Switzerland for their next events on Feb. 1 and 2. Results from Reiteralm can be viewed here.