A third- and a fifth-place showing in her two events before Canada’s Olympic freestyle skiing slopestyle squad is named this week.

Will it be enough for Vernon’s Elena Gaskell?

The lone Canadian in the field for the final 10 was fifth at a World Cup stop in Laax, Switzerland. Her two runs resulted in a score of 62.75, five points off the podium.

“Definitely can clean some things up, but beyond hyped to be back feeling good on my skis,” she wrote on her Instagram page.

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The event was won by Eileen Gu of China with a score of 85.13. Marin Hamill of the U.S. won silver with 71.38 points, and Lara Wolf of Austria was third at 67.85.

Avery Krumme of the U.S. finished fourth with 63.53 points.

Gaskell was coming off a bronze-medal result the weekend prior in Aspen, Colo. She continues to make her comeback in the sport after tearing ligaments in both knees, the first at the 2022 Olympics on the final day of training in Beijing, then tearing her other knee as she fought to come back from the first injury.

Canadian Evan McEachran won bronze in Laax on the men’s side. The native of Oakville, Ont. was fifth after his opening run, but scored a second-round bext ride of 82.70 points to get on the podium.

Norway’s Birk Ruud, with 85.08 points, took gold, and Matej Svancer of Austria won silver with 84.08.

Canada is expected to name its Olympic team at some point this week.

The Olympic Games run Feb. 6 to 22 in Milano Cortina, Italy.

Port Alberni Valley News

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