Canada’s Reece Howden Tops Ski Cross World Cup Podium
Cameron Alexander Ninth in Val-Gardena Downhill
Calgary, AB. (Dec 21, 2024) — Reece Howden (Chilliwack, BC) capped off the fifth race in 10 days of the cross-Alps tour with his second win of the season at the FIS Ski Cross World Cup Innichen (ITA). This is Howden’s second win in Innichen and his 13th career World Cup victory.
It was tight racing on the turn packed course that had hardened up overnight. The track and conditions suited Howden who finished first in all his heats today.
“This was the classic Innichen with nice hard, fast snow and multiple racing lines,” said Howden. “This cross-Alps tour to start the season is a lot of racing in a short period of time and we couldn’t do it without the amazing support we have. We have such a great team of coaches, techs, and staff. Couldn’t do it without them and the support of our great sponsors. I’m happy to come home from it with a couple of wins.”
“I’m looking forward to celebrating with our Canadian family here and then getting home for some family time over the holidays.”
Other Canadian men in action today were Kris Mahler (Canmore, AB) in 10th, Kevin Drury (Toronto, ON) 15th, Nicholas Katrusiak (Whistler, BC), in just his eighth career World Cup start, in 16th, and Gavin Rowell (Prince George, BC) in 18th.
Canadian women took positions four through seven today with India Sherret (Cranbrook, BC) placing fourth, she now sits second in the season standings, Hannah Schmidt (Ottawa, ON) in fifth, Marielle Thompson (Whistler, BC) sixth, Courtney Hoffos (Windermere, BC) seventh and Abby McEwen (Edmonton, AB) was 16th.
Alexander Back to Back Top 10s in Val Gardena
On a postcard perfect day at the FIS Ski World Cup men’s downhill (DH) in Val Gardena – Groeden (ITA), Cameron Alexander (North Vancouver, BC) followed up yesterdays fifth place in the super-G with a ninth place finish today just .18 of a second off the podium in a very tight race.
Racing on the classic Saslong course, in the second of nine DH races this season, Alexander picked-up his 11th career World Cup top 10, and his eighth top 10 in the last 12 months going back to Val-Gardena last season.
“I had to go out and push super hard and to look for speed today,” said Alexander. “I knew that it was going to be a little slower due to the snow a couple of days ago so happy with my approach. Overall really happy with the Val-Gardena weekend and feeling good about heading to Bormio.“
“Be nice to have a couple of days off to relax and have Christmas with the team and then we’ll start training runs for Bormio.”
Brodie Seger (North Vancouver, BC), in his 45th World Cup downhill start, came from bib 50 to finish 11th, while Jeffrey Read (Canmore, AB) was 37th, James Crawford (Toronto, ON) 53rd and Kyle Alexander (North Vancouver, BC) placed 57th.
“This course can sometimes speed up for the later bibs, so I knew there could be a good opportunity to punch in today,” said Seger. “Val Gardena is one of my favorite stops, and I was having a blast on the Saslong track this whole week. I did my best to keep my head down and stick to my plan, and I’m glad it paid off! Feels good to get another solid DH result to back up my first top 10 in Beaver Creek a couple of weeks ago.”
“It’s nice to have consistently finished in the points so far, but I feel I still have room to improve especially in super-G. I think what I have been doing well is trusting myself and my race plan, so I need to stay focused on that in order to keep building.”
“It’s off to Verona now for a few days of rest and Italian sightseeing. We’ll celebrate Christmas as a team in Bormio, with a nice dinner and gift exchange that has become a tradition over the last few years.”
At the FIS Ski World Cup Women’s Super-G (SG) in St. Moritz (SUI) under a clear blue sky on a day that saw the return of Lindsey Vonn (USA) to World Cup racing, Canada’s Valérie Grenier (St. Isidore, ON) and Cassidy Gray (Panorama, BC) both missed gates and skied down the course for DNFs.
Next CANskiteam World Cup races: (link to FIS Calendar)
- Women race another super-G in St Moritz (SUI) on December 22
- Men alpine have giant slalom and slalom December 22 and 23 in Alta Badia (ITA)
- Men speed move to Bormio (ITA) for downhill and super-G December 28 and 29
Ski cross have a holiday break returning to action January 16 and 17 in Reiteralm (AUT)
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Alpine Canada
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Alpine Canada is the governing body for alpine, para-alpine, and ski cross racing in Canada, as well as for Canadian ski coaches, providing education, certification, insurance, and compliance with the coaching code of conduct. With the support of valued corporate partners and donors, along with the Government of Canada, Own the Podium, the Canadian Olympic Committee, and the Coaching Association of Canada, Alpine Canada develops Olympic, Paralympic, World Championship, and World Cup athletes to stimulate visibility, inspiration, and growth in the ski community.