Canada’s Thompson victorious in ski cross World Cup opener, Drury wins bronze

By The Canadian Press on December 12, 2024.

VAL THORENS, France – Canada’s Marielle Thompson raced to a gold medal at the opening event of the World Cup ski cross season.

Thompson, who won the women’s ski cross Crystal Globe as the overall winner last season, finished ahead of three-time World Cup ski cross champion Fanny Smith of Switzerland to take the big final. Germany’s Daniela Maier was third.

Thompson, from Whistler, B.C., now has 32 career World Cup wins and 68 total podium finishes.

India Sherret of Cranbrook, B.C., and Ottawa’s Hannah Schmidt both raced in the small final, placing fifth and eighth overall, respectively.

On the men’s side, Toronto’s Kevin Drury claimed bronze with teammate Reece Howden of Cultus Lake, B.C., finishing fourth in the big final. Italy’s Simone Deromedis won gold, followed by Germany’s Florian Wilmsmann.

It’s Drury’s 14th career World Cup podium, but his first since January 2022.

Another set of races is scheduled for Friday in Val Thorens before the circuit continues with races Monday and Tuesday in Arosa, Switzerland.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 12, 2024.