TWO TICKETS TO THE PODIUM

Canadian women zip to gold and silver, extending dominance in young event

Canadians Kelsey Serwa and Brittany Phelan scored Olympic gold and silver medals in ski cross on another wild day at Phoenix Snow Park.

Kelowna B.C.’s Serwa, the silver medallist in Sochi, was dominant all day and jumped out to an early lead in the final medal race, one she didn’t surrender. Phelan of MontTremblant, Que., who competed in slalom in Sochi but switched to ski cross two years ago, started her final race in the back of the fourskier pack but was able to slide into second about halfway through the minute and a half race.

Whistler, B.C.’s Marielle Thompson, the gold medallist in Sochi who was in the midst of a remarkable comeback from an October knee injury, crashed in the first finals heat. Her teammate, India Sherret of Cranbrook, B.C., also crashed in her heat and was removed from the course by sled.

Switzerland’s Fanny Smith took the bronze medal.

“It’s absolutely amazing,” said Phelan, who rooms with Serwa on the road. “To finish second behind my best friend and someone who has taught me everything, it couldn’t have gone better.”

The medals are the 25th and 26th for Canada in Pyeongchang, tying the record for a single Olympics set in Vancouver. Skater Kaetlyn Osmond’s bronze later Friday set a new record for Canada.

The Canadian skiers were dominant in the seeding runs for the event, finishing first, second, third and 11th. Serwa and Phelan competed in the same group during the semifinal stage, needing to come 1-2 in that race as well to make it into the medal round.

Canadian women have now won the gold medal in all three Winter Games since the event was added to competition in Vancouver in 2010. Ashleigh McIvor of Vancouver won the gold in the event’s debut.

Calgary’s Brady Leman won the men’s ski cross race earlier

this week, Canada’s first Olympic medal in the men’s event.

“I feel absolutely incredible,” said Serwa after the race. “To have it end with an Olympic gold, and my teammate Brit, my best bud, with silver, is absolutely incredible.” With files from The Canadian Press

RYAN PIERSE/GETTY IMAGES Kelowna, B.C.’s Kelsey Serwa celebrates winning gold in ski cross Friday at the Pyeongchang Winter Games as teammate Brittany Phelan of Mont-Tremblant, Que., crosses the finish line for silver. Four Canadians took part in the event.

GREGORY BULL/THE ASSOCIATED PRESS Serwa and Phelan needed to finish 1-2 during their semifinal race as well to make the medal round.