The Canadian ski cross team showed up in Arosa, SUI, on Tuesday to do what they do best: Win.
Things couldn’t have gone much better either, with last season’s Crystal Globe champion, Marielle Thompson, skiing to gold, leading a Canadian podium sweep on the women’s side and Reece Howden winning the men’s race in a photo finish.
One week removed from winning her second career World Cup race in Val Thorens, FRA, India Sherret finished second on Tuesday, with Hannah Schmidt rounding out the podium sweep on the slope she won her first World Cup on in 2023.
While the Arosa night race always adds a unique flare to the World Cup schedule, Thompson’s win on Dec. 17 was a standout day. Earlier in the day, her Facebook memories reminded her of her first World Cup start in Innichen, Italy, in 2010.
“I was told it was 14 years since my first World Cup, so to have a win tonight is super special, and to lead these girls who are also skiing super fast is great for Canada, and we’re gonna keep it firing for the rest of the season,” Thompson said. “To have Reece win too, it’s super special. We got to sing ‘Oh Canada’ twice.
“It’s super special to be part of another Canadian sweep. Everyone is skiing super strong.”
For Thompson, who won the season-opening race in Val Thorens, it marked her fourth victory in Arosa, the first since 2021. The podium sweep, meanwhile, was Canada’s second of 2024, with Thompson and Sherret sharing a podium in Veysonnaz, SUI, alongside Brittany Phelan in March of last season.
Canada first swept a World Cup ski cross podium in March 2010, with Kelsey Serwa winning in Grindelwald, SUI, alongside Ashleigh McIvor and Danielle Poleschuk.
Howden’s win also marked the second straight year a Canadian man won in Arosa, with Jared Schmidt winning in 2023 before finishing fourth in Tuesday’s race. Howden’s return to the top step marks his 12th World Cup win as he seeks a third Crystal Globe in his still young career.
“I’m just stoked to be skiing fast,” Howden said. “I think the whole team is ready to roll for the rest of the season, starting now.”
As Thompson and Howden joined together on the podium to sing the national anthem, the medals are also significant marks for Sherret and Schmidt. For Sherret, a 7th career podium, and for Schmidt, returning to the box for the first time since an ankle injury ended her 2023-24 season from February onwards.
“I’m feeling really good. The first podium after injury, I think for me, at least, feels good,” Schmidt said. “To do it with these two ladies is awesome.”
Joining Howden on the men’s podium were Italy’s Simone Deromedis and Sweden’s David Moaberg, with the 26-year-old Canadian edging out the Italian by a fingertip in the photo finish.
Next up, the Canadian crew will be back at the World Cup in Innichen, ITA, from Dec. 19-21.
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