Calgary, Alta. (April 14, 2024) — Canada struck gold twice today at the FIS Ski Cross Junior World Championships in Idre Fjäll (SWE). Emeline Bennett (Whistler, BC) repeated her gold medal performance to become the first Canadian to twice be crowned ski cross Junior World Champion. Kaleb Barnum (Fernie, BC) competing in his first Junior Worlds, took gold on the men’s side, with teammate Nicholas Katrusiak (Whistler, BC) taking silver.
Racing in her third Junior Worlds, Bennett the reigning Junior World Champion, won each of her heats today to capture gold.
“I was a little nervous coming in,” said Bennett. “It’s definitely a bigger track than last year but we had a lot of time on it and I started to feel pretty comfortable. I really wasn’t sure it was going to happen though. I was dead last at one point in the semis but used the draft at the bottom to make up some places. I’ve very happy with the result.”
Barnum, competing in the opposite bracket from fellow Canadian Katrusiak, won each of his four heats to take gold.
“It feels pretty sweet,” said a smiling Barnum. “It was a super exciting day and it was a good time racing Nick (teammate Katrusiak) in the finals with us coming from opposite sides of the bracket. It was fast racing today on a big track with a great drag strip at the bottom.”
Katrusiak, racing in this third Junior Worlds took silver today improving from 19th in 2022 and 9th in 2023, won each of his heats before settling for second in the finals.
“It feels really good,” said Katrusiak. “I put in a lot of work this past year and it feels good to have it all come together. Kleb (teammate Barnum) and I had a fun battle in the finals and it was a really good day for the team.”
The 2024 Junior World team, supported by Sporting Life, will look to continue their success with the team event tomorrow, Monday April 15. To see the full schedule please click here and a live stream can be found here.
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Mark Halliday
Alpine Canada
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About Alpine Canada
Alpine Canada is the governing body for alpine, para-alpine, and ski cross racing in Canada, as well as for Canadian ski coaches, providing education, certification, insurance, and compliance with the coaching code of conduct. With the support of valued corporate partners and donors, along with the Government of Canada, Own the Podium, the Canadian Olympic Committee, and the Coaching Association of Canada, Alpine Canada develops Olympic, Paralympic, World Championship, and World Cup athletes to stimulate visibility, inspiration, and growth in the ski community.
