By prevailing in both World Cup ski cross races in Nakiska last weekend, Hannah Schmidt wrote herself into the record books.
Schmidt came through again on Jan. 21, standing atop the podium with runner-up Marielle Berger Sabbatel of France and compatriot Brittany Phelan, who clinched bronze. In so doing, Schmidt became the first Canadian woman to earn back-to-back gold on home soil since Marielle Thompson ripped off five straight victories between 2012 and 2017.
Sunday's breakthrough also represents Schmidt's fourth World Cup medal. It vaults her into second overall in FIS rankings, just 11 points out of first.
“I’m a little speechless,” said the Ottawa native in a press release. “I feel pretty awesome to win back-to-back in front of family and friends. This is the first time that I’ve been on the podium with Britt and that helps make this day, and this whole weekend, very special.”
Phelan, the 2018 Olympic silver medallist from Mont-Tremblant, Que., now has 14 career World Cup podiums of her own.
Thompson conquered the small final to wind up fifth, with Cranbrook's India Sherret close behind in sixth.
“I’m not the quickest starter,” Phelan told reporters after the event. “It was really hard to pass on this course, so I had to battle all day. It’s always special to race at home and I’m super stoked to be on the podium today with Hannah.”
Other Canadian women in the mix were Abby McEwen (Edmonton, Alta.) who placed 10th and Emeline Bennett (Whistler, B.C.) who was 13th in her second-ever World Cup outing.
Carson Cook (Edmonton) led the Canadian men with an eighth-place result for his fourth World Cup top 10. Kevin Drury (Toronto, Ont.) finished 10th, overall points leader Jared Schmidt (Ottawa) was 13th and Reece Howden (Cultus Lake, B.C.) ended up 14th.
The Canadian ski cross team returns to action Jan. 27 and 28 in St. Moritz, Switzerland.
