Alberta Olympian and former world number-one Samantha Cools of Airdrie placed fifth in the women’s elite race at the BMX world championships in Adelaide, Australia.

Cools was fourth in her opening semifinal heat to advance while Danielle Brisson on Abbotsford, B.C., was eliminated after placing seventh in her semifinal.

Sarah Walker of New Zealand took the gold in 31.879 seconds, Eva Ailloud of France was second in 32.991, Arielle Martin of the U.S., was third in 33.894 while Cools posted a 38.465 time.

In junior women’s competition, 16-year-old Abby Graalman of Red Deer was eliminated after placing sixth in her semifinal heat.