Canada’s McIvor strikes gold in ski cross

Canada’s Ashleigh McIvor won the gold medal in the women’s ski cross at Cypress Mountain Tuesday.

McIvor, of Whistler, pulled ahead in the big final, placing well ahead of Norway’s Hedda Berntsen and France’s Marion Josserand.

Earlier, McIvor finished second in the semifinal race.

Canadian Kelsey Serwa, of Kelowna, placed third in her heat during the semifinal but finished first in the small final.

Serwa finished first in the second heat of the quarterfinal, while McIvor took the top spot in the fourth heat.

Canadian Julia Murray, also of Whistler, competed in the second heat but failed to advance, finishing fourth.

Earlier in the competition, McIvor finished first in the eighth heat of the 1/8 final, ahead of Jenny Owens of Australia. Murray placed second in the fifth heat, while Serwa finished first in the fourth heat.

A fourth Canadian, Danielle Poleschuk of Calgary, qualified for the 1/8 final but finished third in the seventh heat and 17th overall.