In a thrilling photo finish, Rossland’s Sage Stefani, representing Canada, clinched the Bronze medal in women's freestyle skiing ski cross competition at the 2025 FISU World University Games in Turin, Italy.
Held every two years in a different city, the FISU World University Games are a prestigious multi-sport event that celebrates international university sports and culture.
This year’s competition brought together 1,500 university athletes under the age of 25 from around the globe, competing in 11 sports and vying for 90 medals from Jan. 13 to Jan. 23.
Now in her early twenties, Stefani is a former Red Mountain Racer who represented Team Canada on the European Cup Tour in 2022.
She competed in France, Italy, Austria, and Germany throughout the season.
Stefani capped off her European journey with a personal best, finishing seventh at the 2022 World Junior Ski Cross Championship in Veysonnaz, Switzerland.
Following her success in Europe, Stefani returned to Calgary, where she claimed the women's Nor-Am overall title on the same slope in April during the 2022–23 season.
In addition to her athletic achievements, Stefani has earned a Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology from the University of Calgary, where she was also a member of the university's ski team.
Next on Stefani’s journey: Reiteralm, Austria.
Ski cross racing, one of the most exhilarating sports on the slopes, pits four skiers against each other in head-to-head competition on technically demanding terrain.
FISU, or the Fédération Internationale du Sport Universitaire (International University Sports Federation), is the organization responsible for coordinating and overseeing the World University Games (formerly known as the Universiade) and other international university sports events.