It was an amazing day in Canadian ski cross on Tuesday, as Canadians won gold and silver in the men’s and women’s World Cup events in Arosa, Switzerland. In men’s World Cup ski cross action, Jared Schmidt of Ottawa, Ontario won his second World Cup career gold medal, with Reece Howden of Chilliwack, British Columbia winning silver. In the women’s World Cup ski cross action, Hannah Schmidt of Ottawa, Ontario won gold and Canadian Olympic gold medalist Marielle Thompson of North Vancouver, British Columbia won silver. Thompson won the gold medal for Canada at the 2014 Olympic Winter Games in Sochi. Jared and Hannah Schmidt are related, as they are brother and sister.
In the men’s World Cup event, Jared Schmidt and Howden won all four of their heats leading up to the big final. Erik Mobaerg of Sweden won the bronze medal.
In the women’s World Cup event, Hannah Schmidt was second in her quarterfinal heat behind Sandra Naeslund of Sweden, and then won her semifinal heat. Thompson won her quarterfinal heat, and was second behind Schmidt in the semifinals. In the big final, Thompson, Marielle Berger Sabbatel of France, and Christina Foedermayr of Austria collided with one another and shared the silver medal.
In the men’s World Cup ski cross standings, Jared Schmidt leads with 212 points. Tristan Takats of Austria is second with 126 points. Howden is in third with 120 points. This was Schmidt’s fourth World Cup medal. He previously won gold in Val Thorens, France on December 8, bronze in Bakuriani, Georgia on February 27, 2021, and Arosa, Switzerland on December 14, 2021. For Howden, it was his 17th medal. He has now won nine gold medals, six silver medals and two bronze medals.
In the women’s World Cup ski cross standings, Hannah Schmidt is third with 177 points and Thompson is sixth with 157 points. Berger Sabbatel leads with 220 points. This was Hannah Schmidt’s second career World Cup medal. She previously won silver in Val Thorens, France on December 9, 2022. Thompson has won 60 World Cup medals (25 gold medals, 22 silver medals, and 13 bronze medals). The medals for Thompson, Hannah Schmidt, Jared Schmidt and Howden will give them confidence as they prepare for the 2026 Olympic Winter Games in Milan/Cortina d’Ampezzo.
