Olympics: Holmlund leads women’s ski cross qualifier

CYPRESS MOUNTAIN, BC (Feb. 23) –  Two days after the heavily favored Canadian ski cross men failed to bring home a medal, the pressure was turned up for the women’s team today as they are battling to become the first Canadian ski racers to win a medal at their home Games.

First up was the qualifying round, in which all 35 entrants raced the clock all alone on the course in an effort to secure at top 32 spot and gate selection throughout this afternoon’s competitive heats of four.

Sweden’s Anna Holmlund lead the field with a 1:17.5 time. This season’s X Games silver medalists and four-time World Cup podium finisher, Canadian Ashleigh McIvor took the second-fastest time .02 seconds off the pace.

Teammate Kelsey Serwa, two-time World Cup winner this season, put down the fourth-fastest time on the course which hides a lucky Canadian loony (a dollar coin).
 
“It was an OK run, nothing spectacular,” said Serwa. “It didn’t deserve a first place, but in the final I’ll give ‘er.”

Even after a rocky start, getting caught up by the course’s now infamous Wu Tang feature, six-time World Cup champion and four-time X Games gold medalist Ophelie David put down  a solid run and stands in sixth place.

“The good thing is, it’s better to miss it now,” said David. “I’m really angry. I’m not satisfied.”

No American women ski cross racers qualified for a spot on the U.S. Olympic Freestyle Ski Team.

The first elimination heats will begin at 1:00pm.