Alexis Guimond making his mark on World Cup circuit

KRANJSKA GORA, Slovenia – Canada’s Alexis Guimond is on the chase on the Para alpine skiing World Cup circuit this season and he is inching ever closer to the top after a sixth podium finish this winter in Wednesday’s giant slalom.

The 20-year-old from Gatineau, Que., who has cerebral palsy, took the bronze in the men’s standing giant slalom race clocking a two-run time of one minute and 58.62 seconds. Guimond actually tied for the second fastest time on the first run with eventual champion Arthur Bauchet of France who totalled 1:57.85. Aleskei Bugaev of Russia was second in 1:58.36.

“I’m really happy about my skiing today,’’ said Guimond, a bronze medallist in the GS at the 2018 Paralympic Games. ‘’I was really tired in the final pitch but still managed to push through to the finish. I was aiming for the top step but still satisfied with the result.

‘’It leaves me nothing but more hungry to catch up on the next World Cup.”

In his two World Cup stop appearances so far this season, Guimond has four silver and two bronze. He came within 0.22 of the gold won by Bugaev in Tuesday’s GS and was within 0.09 of Bauchet in the Super G in Switzerland earlier this month.

Guimond credits his success to a strong offseason of training.

‘’I did a lot of weight training in the gym this past summer,’’ he said. ‘’My mental approach is also different. I’m trying to have fun more than anything and that wasn’t the case last season. I’m more serious with my races but I just don’t overthink it.’’

Guimond’s emerging performances have been overshadowed by the incredible showing of visually impaired racer Mac Marcoux of Sault Ste Marie, Ont., and his guide Tristan Rodgers of Ottawa. They’ve won all eight World Cup races they’ve entered this season including Wednesday’s GS.

Mollie Jepsen of Whistler, absent all of last season after being diagnosed with Crohn’s disease, was fifth in the women’s standing GS while Mel Pemble of Victoria was ninth.

The Canadian Para alpine ski team is firing on all cylinders and head coach Jean-Sébastien Labrie is happy with the progress. 

“We are pleased with the overall performances of the team,’’ he said. ‘’It’s been a good Euro tour and we are learning a lot in race series like this. Time to get a little rest and attack the rest of the season with the appropriate adjustments.

”Each trip we create a bond that makes our family on the road so special.’’