Chalk up 32 World Cup victories for Marielle Thompson.
The incumbent Crystal Globe holder fired out of the starting gate in Val Thorens, France to claim season-opening gold and her 68th medal at the highest level of ski cross. Fanny Smith of Switzerland did enough to earn silver, while bronze went to Germany's Daniela Maier.
Kevin Drury performed well too, finishing third in the men's race behind victorious Italian Simone Deromedis and runner-up Florian Wilmsmann. That left Reece Howden in fourth, unable to join his fellow Canadian Drury on the podium.
“After all the training and preparation this summer it’s really satisfying to get a result like this,” said Thompson in a press release. “It was tough, tight racing today and I focused on sticking to my plan and not making too many mistakes. I’m feeling good heading into tomorrow and the team's feeling great with Kevin on the podium and Reece just missing it.”
Drury added: "This feels absolutely incredible. To think that just a few months ago I was on the fence about retiring. My knee felt awesome today and I had a feeling that if my body felt good that I could ski like I used to. Feeling really excited and hoping to keep the body in good shape."
Team Canada's ski cross unit returns to action tomorrow, on Dec. 13. Click here for more results from Val Thorens.
