Retiring ski cross racer Brady Leman victorious at World Cup Finals in last race

Canadian Olympic champion Brady Leman couldn't have ended his 15-year career in ski cross any better than Saturday's victory at the World Cup Finals at Craigleith Ski Club in the Blue Mountains near Collingwood, Ont.

Leman, who announced his retirement earlier this week, defeated Youri Duplessis Kergomard of France and Joos Berry of Switzerland in the men's big final.

"I am thankful for all that ski racing has shown me," Leman, a former alpine racer, said in a statement released by Alpine Canada on Tuesday. "There's been so much change in ski cross from when I started to today. I guess I've been doing this a long time, but the thrill of racing, and winning, never got old.

"The biggest thank you of all goes to my parents who lit the spark that fueled this amazing ride."

The Calgary native and resident also earned 2019 world championship silver, 2016 X-Games gold and 2010 bronze, but will be best remembered for winning Canada's first-ever men's Olympic ski cross medal five years ago in Pyeongchang, South Korea.

The gold medal was sweet redemption for Leman, who was fourth in the 2014 Olympic big final in Sochi, Russia.

"This is the best way to go out"