Marielle Thompson led a Canadian sweep of the women’s podium Tuesday while Reece Howden raced to gold in the men’s event as Canada’s freestyle skiers dominated the second stop of the World Cup ski cross season.
Thompson, from Whistler, B.C., raced to her 33rd career World Cup ski cross gold ahead of India Sherret, of Cranbrook, B.C., and Ottawa’s Hannah Schmidt.
The 32-year-old Thompson, who also won the season-opening race in Val Thorens, France, last Thursday, now has 70 total podium finishes on the World Cup stage.
“Its very special, the 33rd win, and to win with my two teammates on the podium as well is super special,” Thompson said.
“Last year we did it, and I led that sweep too. Hopefully we can keep this momentum going and have a super strong season for Canada.”
Sherret claimed her second career gold on Friday in the circuit’s second race in Val Thorens.
Howden, from Chilliwack, B.C., picked up his first medal of the season by winning the men’s big final ahead of Italy’s Simone Deromedis and David Mobaerg of Sweden.
Ottawa’s Jared Schmidt just missed another Canadian medal by finishing fourth.
Four of the six races so far this season have been won by Canadian skiers, who have also taken nine out of a possible 18 podium places.
“The team did really well,” Howden said. “Everybody was fighting really hard.
“We kind of made it a tough for us with where we were in the brackets but we optimized it and had five Canadians in the two big finals.”
Howden dedicated his victory to a late friend.
“I had wanted to dedicate one of these wins to Carter Rushton from back home, one of our good friends that passed to bone cancer,” he said.
The World Cup ski cross season continues with races Friday and Saturday in Innichen, Italy.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 17, 2024.