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Sharpe claims Crystal Globe

Olympic champion finishes with win; d'Artois places third
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CRYSTAL CLEAR Whistler skier Cassie Sharpe claimed the FIS Crystal Globe for halfpipe after winning her third event of the season in Tignes, France. Photo by Nicolas Schlosser courtesy of Cassie Sharpe

Whistler skier Cassie Sharpe wrapped her 2017-18 halfpipe season the same way she started it: with a win.

After taking a victory to start the season in September in New Zealand, another win in Colorado, and a gold medal at the Winter Olympic Games in PyeongChang, South Korea, Sharpe capped a dream season with another triumph in Tignes, France on March 22.

Sharpe edged France's Marie Martinod by a 90.40 to 90.00 score while American Brita Sigourney placed third with an 88.40. Besting Sigourney also ensured Sharpe claimed her first-ever Crystal Globe.

"It's something that I've worked a few years for but never quite made it," she said. "For me, with the season I've had, it's the cherry on top."

Sigourney has competed in more events this year, so despite a mixed bag of results, she was on Sharpe's tail for the overall crown entering the final event of the year. Sharpe's mantra was simple: just finish ahead of Sigourney.

"I knew she was super close and I knew that even if I ended up second and she won, she would get into the lead. It was something that I was thinking about," she said. "At the same time, I was not overthinking it because I wasn't going to go to France, but then I thought if I didn't go, I would never have been able to forgive myself for being so close and just giving up on it."

Tignes has been a special stop on the tour for Sharpe, as her first-ever World Cup win came there in 2015, while she also topped the field there in 2017.

"I love the energy of the people there. They're always excited and they're always yelling at you. They're so happy and excited to be there that it makes you happy and excited to be there," she said.

Sharpe noted most of the athletes were worn down from the season by the time they got to France, so this World Cup was a little more laidback than others, even with the Crystal Globe on the line. She added that she plans to take the next couple of months before starting preparations for 2018-19 in earnest in June.

Meanwhile, on the men's side, Calgary's Noah Bowman scored his first World Cup victory, scoring a 94.20 on his final run to surpass American Alex Ferreira. Whistler's Simon d'Artois, in a bounceback after his Olympic heartbreak, when he narrowly missed qualifying for finals, took third with a best run of 89.20.

All in all, d'Artois took his third medal to place fourth overall in the season-ending standings.

"It was a really good night, I am really stoked with how I skied. I have been working towards a new run and I was able to put it down so I am happy about that. It's been a beautiful week here in Tignes and I couldn't be happier with my third place. It's a great way to finish off the season and I am now looking forward to some down time and summer," he said in a release.