It was a tougher go of things for Marielle Thompson on Sunday, as she was ninth in the World Cup ski cross race at Val di Fassa, Italy.
Fourth-place Abby McEwen was the most successful Canadian in her inaugural big final, but medals went to Jole Galli on her home soil (gold), France's Marielle Berger Sabbatel (silver) and Fanny Smith of Switzerland (bronze).
Thompson recently authored a three-event winning streak and still tops the overall with 710 points. Her countrywoman India Sherret is close behind with 690.
Yet the day belonged to Reece Howden who triumphed for a 14th time in his career (and third this season), getting Canada it's 101st all-time World Cup victory.
The Cultus Lake, B.C. native fell into last place, but made three decisive passes to reverse his fortunes. Italian Simone Deromedis and Swiss contender Ryan Regez wound up second and third respectively.
"Today’s racing was wild. I don't know if I've experienced a ski cross track race like this, but there was so much opportunity today and I was skiing fast,” Howden spoke in a press release. "I didn't have much game plan other than ‘just race,’ and I think that's probably a good mentality. Huge thanks to the team and all the volunteers who made this race happen...these are far from ideal conditions, but they did a great job, and the team did great. Rock on."
Now with 26 podiums under his belt and 542 season points, Howden moves into third overall.
He added: "It was honestly just racing; there were mistakes made, but I knew I was really fast on the course so I relied on that and that draft was a big factor today. There was so much going on, it was tough to really focus on one specific thing, so I tried to be bombing the start gate and focus on myself.
"It’s always fun to pass guys in ski cross, and that’s why we do it. It feels better sometimes when you’re out in front leading the whole day, but going fourth to first in the big final is something special and something I’ve not done before."
Click here for more results from Val di Fassa.
