Canada came away with two bronze medals on Sunday in a World Cup ski cross event in Veysonnaz, Switzerland. Reece Howden of Chilliwack, British Columbia placed third in the men’s World Cup, and Tiana Gairns of Prince George, British Columbia won bronze in the women’s World Cup.
In the men’s World Cup event, Howden won the first round of 64 heat, the first second round heat, the first quarterfinal heat, and the first semifinal heat. In the big final, Howden placed behind gold medalist David Mobaerg of Sweden and silver medalist Ryo Sugai of Japan.
In the women’s World Cup event, Gairns won the second first round heat, was second to Canadian Olympic gold medalist Marielle Thompson of North Vancouver, British Columbia in the first quarterfinal heat and the first semifinal heat. Fanny Smith of Switzerland won the gold medal and Jade Grillet Aubert of France won the silver medal. Thompson won the gold medal at the 2014 Olympic Winter Games in Sochi.
In the World Cup men’s ski cross standings, Howden is the leader with 596 points. He has 57 more points than Mobaerg, who finished second with 539 points.
In the World Cup women’s ski cross standings, Gairns is in ninth with 311 points. Sandra Naeslund of Sweden leads with 900 points. The medals for Howden and Gairns will give them confidence as they prepare for the 2026 Olympic Winter Games in Milan/Cortina d’Ampezzo.