“My world collapsed”: Ski discovery opens your heart

Some media wrote about a “sensation”, others about a “historic event”. The fact is that Valérie Grenier is with her first giant slalom victory in Kranjska Gora At the beginning of January she finally became this season's high-flyer. The Canadian, who won her home country's first giant slalom triumph in 49 years in Slovenia, has finally reached the top of the world - although in a detour, but that doesn't matter in the end.

Grenier is a ski ace with many facets. She was a former Canadian junior water skiing champion and is frequently active on social media as a food blogger. The 26-year-old also has a moving and very rocky career behind her. In a kind of diary entry for Radio Canada Grenier now gives deep insights into the difficult last few years.

Grenier celebrated her first World Cup victory in Kranjska Gora. © AFP / PIERRE TEYSSOT

“When I started racing at the age of seven, I dreamed of the Olympics and a podium in the World Cup,” writes the daughter of a farming family. In fact, things initially went well for Grenier, who slowly but surely made her way to the top of the world. “In 2019 I was closer to the podium than ever before. I felt like I was close to achieving my dream. But then, on February 6th, my world collapsed.”

Broken bones four times – and suddenly everything was different The reason for this was the fall during training for the World Championships in Åre. “I suffered a quadruple fracture in my right leg and had to stay off the slopes for a year,” said Grenier. A time that was very difficult for her. “The wait was endless, the uncertainty unbearable. But I knew that I would do everything to come back.” However, the road was very rocky. “When I started training again and went downhill, I suddenly froze in the middle of the slope. My body was ready, my head wasn't. For the first time in my life I was scared.” “I was frustrated for months.” Valerie Grenier A difficult phase began again for Grenier. She was always an enthusiastic speed athlete and won gold and silver in the downhill and super-G at the Junior World Championships. Suddenly nothing worked in the fast disciplines. “I no longer felt like myself. I experienced moments of sadness and loneliness like never before. I lost hope because I felt like I was going backwards rather than forward. I was frustrated for months,” said the Canadian.

A realignment finally brought about a turning point: Grenier gave up downhill skiing, only competed sporadically in Super-Gs and instead specialized entirely in giant slalom. That bore fruit this year: In Kranjska Gora there was her first World Cup victory, and she also achieved other top results. “The patience paid off,” sums up Valérie Grenier happily. One thing is clear: the shooting star will also be a force to be reckoned with at the World Cup.

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“My world collapsed”: Ski discovery opens your heart

This ski season has already written numerous stories. A very emotional one comes from the Canadian camp.

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