THE CANADIAN PRESS
SAN CANDIDO, Italy — Canada’s Brady Leman and Kelsey Serwa made a golden start to the ski cross World Cup season Saturday.
Leman, from Calgary, celebrated his comeback from a long injury layoff to win the men’s race and claim his first career World Cup podium. Serwa, a world champion from Kelowna, B.C., won the women’s race.
Dave Duncan of London, Ont., won the men’s bronze, while Marielle Thompson Whistler, B.C., was third in the women’s event.
Leman broke his leg in 2009 and then his comeback was derailed by another injury right before the 2010 Olympics.
"I’m thrilled and a little bit shocked still," said Leman. "I can’t believe I won my first race back.
"There’s been a lot of hard work over the past few years and it’s finally paid off. It’s a big relief. I’m super pumped."
Russia’s Egor Korotkov won the men’s silver.
Leman led virtually from start to finish in the final.
"Once you are in the final you have a chance," Leman said. "I was side by side with Egor into the first turn but I had position. I just tried to stay calm and ski to the finish."
Switzerland’s Sanna Luedi won the women’s silver.