Jack Crawford: From hockey player to Olympic skiing medallist at Beijing 2022

Ice hockey may be the most popular winter sport in Canada, but James ‘Jack’ Crawford showed that the North Americans can also ski fast.

The 24-year-old from the Whistler Mountain ski club has kept the ‘Maple Leaf’ flying high at Beijing 2022 by claiming bronze in the combined event after finishing fourth in the downhill and sixth in the super G.

"I've been searching for a podium for so long on the World Cup," he said after the race, where he bettered his aunt Judy, who finished fourth in the women's slalom at the Sapporo 1972 Winter Olympics.

"I kept feeling it was right around the corner and I could get it done, and if I just continued what I was doing it would happen. Today it finally did."

As many Canadians, Crawford practised ice hockey competitively and he did so until the age of 17.

"I was always a little bit better at skiing than I was at hockey," the said when he was asked about his choice.

"I enjoyed both the same amount, and for me, I just wasn't getting the same enjoyment from the training process for hockey. I really loved competing and I loved playing. But the training and being on the ice, being inside all the time, it just wasn't what I like to do. So in the end, I decided to choose skiing."

Before his maiden Olympic medal, Crawford was having his breakthrough season in the World Cup and candidly admitted: "I never really thought I'd be in this position coming into the Olympics this year."

Just ahead of flying to China, the Canadian posted fifth- and sixth-placed finishes in the classic downhills of Wengen and Kitzbuhel on back-to-back weekends.

"All year, I've definitely felt like I've been capable of being on the podium and contending with those top guys," he said.

"I've showed a little bit of my success