Kevin Drury of Toronto, Ontario and Canadian Olympic gold medalist Marielle Thompson of North Vancouver, British Columbia won the gold medal in men’s ski cross and women’s ski cross respectively at a World Cup event in Megeve, France on Saturday. It was Drury’s fifth World Cup career victory and Thompson’s 23rd World Cup career victory.
In the men’s ski cross World Cup competition, Drury won the eighth elimination heat and fourth quarterfinal. He then placed second behind Florian Wilmsmann of Germany in the second semifinal before winning the big final. Bastien Midol of France won the silver medal and Tim Hronek of Germany won the bronze medal.
In the women’s ski cross World Cup competition, Thompson won the fourth quarterfinal, second semifinal and big final. Sandra Naeslund of Sweden won the silver medal and Alexandra Edebo of Sweden won the bronze medal.
The win in Megeve was Thompson’s third World Cup title this season. She previously won in Montafon, Austria on December 14 and in Arosa, Switzerland on December 17. This was Drury’s fourth win. He previously won in Val Thorens, France on December 6, in Arosa on December 17 and in Innichen, Italy on December 21.
Drury continues to lead the World Cup men’s ski cross standings with 688 points. He has 234 more points than Ryan Regez of Switzerland, who is second with 454 points.
Thompson is third in the World Cup women’s ski cross standings with 659 points. Naeslund leads with 810 points.
Thompson won her Olympic gold medal in women’s ski cross at the 2014 Olympic Winter Games in Sochi. The gold medals for Thompson and Drury will give them confidence as they prepare for the 2022 Olympic Winter Games in Beijing.
