A crash in the big final of a World Cup ski cross event in Serbia has ended the career of Canadian racer Kevin Drury earlier than planned. The 37-year-old from Toronto secured a silver medal despite the incident. Reece Howden of Canada finished fourth after a penalty.
Kevin Drury, competing in his announced final season, was involved in a collision during the big final at the World Cup ski cross event in Kopaonik, Serbia, on Friday. The incident occurred when Germany's Florian Wilmsmann and Canada's Reece Howden, from Cultus Lake, B.C., clipped skis while battling for the lead early in the race. Wilmsmann fell, and Drury, along with Germany's Tim Hronek, crashed into him, preventing the three from finishing.
Drury received the silver medal because he ranked higher than Wilmsmann in the qualifying round, despite being tied at the moment of the crash. Hronek was awarded gold, Wilmsmann bronze, and Howden, the only finisher, dropped to fourth after a penalty for line deviation.
The extent of Drury's injuries remains undisclosed, but he shared an image showing his right leg wrapped in gauze from thigh to foot. In the caption, he wrote, "Not the way I wanted to end my career but I'll take the podium."
After the podium ceremony, Hronek dedicated his victory to Drury, saying, "It’s very sad, man. [Drury]'s such a nice skier and I know he will end his career at the end of this season."
Wilmsmann described the crash as "a racing incident, tight battle, really unlucky, especially Tim and Kevin also crashed because of the result of my crash." He added, "We just hope Kevin is doing alright."
In the women's big final, Sweden's Sandra Naeslund claimed gold, ahead of France's Jade Grillet Aubert in silver and Marielle Berger Sabbatel in bronze. Ottawa's Hannah Schmidt was the top Canadian, finishing fourth.
