(Idre Fjäll) Canadian Reece Howden capped a prolific weekend on Sunday by winning the Ski Cross World Cup event in Idre Fjäll, Sweden, while his compatriot Marielle Thompson placed third overall. women’s event.
Howden, who hails from Cultus Lake, B.C., was dominant. After finishing second in Saturday’s competition at the same venue, Howden won all of his elimination rounds on Sunday.
Then, in the Grand Final, he led from start to finish en route to his second victory of the season and his fifth consecutive podium.
During the final stage, he beat the Swede Erik Mobärg.
“It’s really cool,” Howden said. I had to work hard, and doing five races a day is difficult. Luckily right now I’m fast and focusing on what I can control by continuing to fight my way! It seems to work for me and I want to keep doing it. »
For his part, Thompson, also from British Columbia, earned a fourth World Cup podium this season, after finishing in fifth place on Saturday. She also scored an eighth career podium at Idre Fjäll.
PHOTO ANDERS WIKLUND, ASSOCIATED PRESS
Marielle Thompson finished third.
Sweden’s Sandra Näslund and Austria’s Katrin Ofner beat the Canadian to the finish line in the grand finale.
“It feels good to be back on the podium,” said Thompson. I had to redeem myself after fifth place yesterday. I knew I could ski better and I’m happy to have made the grand final and climbed onto the podium. The race was tough today. It was windy and you really had to work on every element to find speed wherever possible. »
On the men’s side, Ottawa’s Jared Schmidt took second place in the small final to finish sixth in the final standings.
On the women’s side, Tiana Gairns of Prince George, B.C., won the women’s small final to take fifth place, two spots ahead of her performance on Saturday.