Marielle Thompson wins gold at ski cross World Cup
Brady Leman wins bronze in the men's race
Canada picked up two World Cup medals Sunday at a ski cross event in Watles, Italy.
Marielle Thompson, a 23-year-old Whistler, B.C., resident, took gold in the event she's the reigning Olympic champion in, winning each of her three qualifying rounds and the final.
The win puts Thompson fourth in the World Cup freetyle standings with 46.71 points, and fourth in the ski cross discipline standings with 339 points nearing the halfway mark of the season. Sweden's Anna Holmlund, who finished second to Thompson on the day, stands far ahead of the rest in both standings.
Germany's Heide Zacher took the bronze. Canadian Brittany Phelan finished third in her eighth-final and did not advance.
In the men's event, Brady Leman, who finished fourth at the Sochi Olympics, scored a bronze medal after winning his first round and finishing second in his quarter-final and semifinal. Gold and silver were won by Swiss racers Jonas Lenherr and Alex Fiva.
The 29-year-old Calgary resident stands second in the overall freestyle rankings and the ski cross rankings behind Chapuis Jean Frederic of France, and ahead of compatriot Christopher Del Bosco.
Del Bosco and teammate Ian Deans both qualified for Sunday's quarter-finals, but both failed to advance after finishing fourth in their respective races.
The freestyle World Cup tour continues next weekend at Nakiska in Kananaskis, Alta.