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VanderBeek earns fourth December medal for women’s speed team

Three different Canadian skiers have won four medals in downhill for the Canadian Alpine Ski Team this December, with Ontario’s Kelly VanderBeek earning a silver on Friday in St. Anton, Austria.
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Britt Janyk placed eighth in the downhill race

Three different Canadian skiers have won four medals in downhill for the Canadian Alpine Ski Team this December, with Ontario’s Kelly VanderBeek earning a silver on Friday in St. Anton, Austria.

It was the first medal of VanderBeek’s career, but it was only a matter of time as VanderBeek has been consistently in the top 10 this season.

“I am very comfortable on this course,” she said. “I had amazing training coming into the race and I really calmed down and told myself that all I had to do was ski and that’s where my focus was and all my energy was.

“I have to admit that I was very nervous before the race, I knew something could happen. Everybody knew something big could happen today so I was very happy to deliver.”

It was a rare all-North American podium in Austria, with American skiers Lindsay Vonn — the current downhill leader — and Julia Mancuso in first and third.

Whistler’s Britt Janyk also had a solid day, placing eighth to hold onto second place in the downhill rankings. Emily Brydon, who won a silver medal the previous week at St. Moritz, also earned points with a 15 th place finish.

Janyk, who has two medals this year, was happy to share the spotlight with her teammate.

“It’s really exciting to see Kelly up there today, and last week it was Emily,” she said. “There is just such a good energy with the group. We’re getting comfortable with the success and it feels like it’s where we should be.”