COPPER MOUNTAIN, Colo. — Two Canadian skiers landed on the World Cup podium in freestyle halfpipe Saturday.

Calgary's Brendan Mackay was a silver medallist in the men's event at Copper Mountain behind victor Alex Ferreira of the United States and ahead of American Nick Goepper in third.

Mackay, who won the season-opening halfpipe in New Zealand in September and was fourth in China in early December, ranks second to Ferreira in the men's season standings.

Cassie Sharpe of Comox, B.C., finished third in the women's event behind gold medallist Eileen Gu of China and silver medallist Zoe Atkins of Britain.

Sharpe, an Olympic gold medallist in 2018 and silver medallist in 2022, has returned to competition after taking two seasons off to have a child with husband and freestyle skier Justin Dorey.

Sharpe finished in the top three for the first time this season. Just 1.5 points separated first from third.

Gu, who edged Sharpe for gold in Beijing, collected the 17th World Cup victory of her career.

“I’m really happy for all the girls, especially Cassie," Gu told FIS. "I want to give her a big shout out."

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 21, 2024.