Thompson, Howden are golden as Canada dominates ski cross World Cup in Switzerland

By The Canadian Press on December 17, 2024.

Marielle Thompson of Canada in action during the women's qualification run of the FIS Ski Cross World Cup, in Arosa, Switzerland, Monday, Dec. 16, 2024. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP-Keystone, Jean-Christophe Bott

AROSA, Switzerland – 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.

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.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 17, 2024.