Just four days after opening the FIS World Cup ski cross season with a silver medal, Whistler's Marielle Thompson has raced to another second-place finish.
Now with 54 career World Cup podium results, including 25 wins, on her resume, "Big Air Mar" distinguished herself in a star-studded big final on Dec. 12 at Arosa, Switzerland. She was again bested by an old rival, Sandra Naeslund of Sweden, who took gold. Naeslund is the incumbent Olympic ski cross queen from Beijing, the event where Thompson won her second career Winter Games medal.
Germany's Daniela Maier, whose Olympic bronze from this February is still in limbo, was third. Fanny Smith of Switzerland, whom FIS lists as the defending Olympic bronze medallist, came fourth in Arosa.
“Feels great to be back on the podium,” said Thompson. “I had good, fast starts all day except in the final so hopefully I can bring some momentum to our next races in Innichen, [Italy]."
Fellow Canadian Reece Howden also snagged silver in the men's ski cross event. The Cultus Lake, B.C. native clawed through contact to achieve his tenth individual World Cup podium result (and the first in Arosa). Howden, known as "Big Rig" to his peers, finished ninth at Beijing in his Olympic debut.
Two-time Olympian Terence Tchiknavorian of France won gold and 2022 Olympian David Mobaerg of Sweden earned bronze.
“Found another gear today that I’ve been looking for,” said Howden. “I really wish that I could’ve got the win, but that’s ski cross. The energy is high at these night races. Tonight, had a big crowd, it was a lot of fun!”
The Canadian ski cross team returns to action Dec. 21 and 22 in Innichen, Italy.
