Reece Howden of Chiiliwack, British Columbia had a marvelous weekend of ski cross racing in Idre Fjall, Sweden. On Saturday he won the silver medal, and on Sunday, he won the gold medal in the men’s World Cup ski cross events. Howden was one of two Canadian ski cross racers to win a medal on the weekend. He was joined by Canadian Olympic gold medalist Marielle Thompson of North Vancouver, British Columbia, who won the bronze medal in the women’s World Cup ski cross event in Idre Fjall, Sweden on Sunday. Thompson won the gold medal in women’s ski cross at the 2014 Olympic Winter Games in Sochi.
On Saturday, Howden placed behind gold medalist David Mobaerg of Sweden, and ahead of bronze medalist Erik Mobaerg of Sweden in the Big Final. Howden won the seventh elimination heat and the fourth quarterfinal heat, before placing second behind Mobaerg in the second semifinal heat.
On Sunday, Howden placed ahead of Mobaerg, who was in second place, and Tobias Mueller of Germany, who was in third place in the Big Final. Howden won the first elimination heat, first quarterfinal heat and first semifinal heat.
On Sunday, Thompson placed behind gold medalist Sandra Naeslund of Sweden and silver medalist Katrin Ofner of Austria. Thompson won the second quarterfinal heat and was second behind Naeslund in the second semifinal heat.
In the men’s World Cup ski cross standings, Howden leads the World Cup standings with 481 points. Mathias Graf of Austria is in second place with 328 points. In the women’s World Cup standings, Thompson is in third place with 374 points. Naeslund leads with 700 points. The medals for Howden and Thompson will give them confidence as they prepare for the 2026 Olympic Winter Games in Milan/Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy.
