For Media And Other Inquiries:
Get in TouchCalgary, Alberta (Decembre 16, 2025) —At today’s FIS Ski Cross World Cup night race in Arosa (SUI),Canada’s Reece Howden (Chilliwack, BC) became the all-time leader in ski cross race wins passing Jean-Frédéric Chapuis (FRA) with 19 wins.
Howden was dominant on the day winning each of the heats for his first win of the season and the 31st podium of his career.
“That’s 19 right?!” said a smiling Howden. “Today’s race was unreal. A huge shout out to Jean-Frédéric Chapuis setting an amazing benchmark and I’m so grateful for the opportunity to compete with him and to take this mark and to push it higher Felt like this has been hanging over my head for a couple of weeks now and amazing to get it done.”
“There a lot of the guys out here who are figuring out the start and have a lot of speed. I just tried to focus on myself, to minimize mistakes and it all worked out. I really like the fight at the start and then really explode on the back half of the course. Excited about this team, the guys are firing and the women will get it going in Innichen and stocked for the rest of the season.”
Jared Schmidt (Ottawa, ON) finished eight today, while Gavin Rowell (Prince George, BC) was 14th, Nicholas Katrusiak 16th, Nick Carson Cook (Edmonton, AB) 20th and Kris Mahler (Canmore, AB) came in 26th.
On the women’s side, Courtney Hoffos (Windermere, BC) placed 8th, and Hannah Schmidt (Ottawa, ON) finished in 16th place.
Para Alpine Continues Strong Opening Season
Coming off last season’s remarkable seven podium day Canada delivered more strong results at the FIS Para Alpine World Cup in Santa Caterina (ITA) Canada capturing three spots on the box. Mollie Jepsen (West Vancouver, BC), and Alexis Guimond (Gatineau, QC), competing respectively in women standing and men’s standing, raced to second place finishes, while Kalle Eriksson (Kimberley, BC), and guide Sierra Smith (Ottawa, ON), competing in men vision impaired, took third.
For Jepsen, competing in her first downhill (DH) since the 2022 Paralympic Winter Games, and in just her third career World Cup DH start, has delivered three podiums in four World Cup races this season.
“This was my first downhill race in almost four years. In my category, I am always pushing for the podium in speed events so knew I could put out a good result today if I stuck with my plan and focused on my controllables,” sad Jepsen. “As a team we spend as much time as we can on speed skis, because we love it, and on days like today that effort shows. Very stoked to keep building this momentum throughout the season.”
Guimond stood on the World Cup podium today for the 40th time in his career and for the third time in four races this season.
“Some really great racing today. I’m really happy with the intent, the focus and my run today, “said Guimond. “I dialed in a pretty well on both runs tactically and technically. Satisfied with the result, but looking for a bit more.”
“It’s a pretty amazing to have the team back together. I feel like we have really good momentum currently it’s just a really good dynamic in general.I’m really proud of my team today.”
Eriksson and Smith were just .02 of a second away from second place in their first race of this season and in just their fourth career World Cup start they stood on the podium for the third time.
“Great to be back racing! Today was Sierra’s and my first day back on the World Cup circuit after the shoulder injury I picked up leading into the season,” said Eriksson. “For our first race back, we couldn’t be happier with today’s result especially in a speed event, which is usually one of my weaker disciplines.”
“Huge thank you to all the coaches and support staff for getting me back on snow quickly, efficiently, and healthy. Can’t wait to keep building as we head into Christmas!”
Other Canadians racing today were Michaela Gosselin (Collingwood, ON) in women standing placed fifth today, and Brian Rowland (Merrickville, ON). in his first race of the season in men sitting, finished in 10th place.
Two Top 25’s at Women Slalom Night Race in Courchevel (FRA)
FIS Ski World Cup women’s slalom night race in Courchevel (FRA)
Laurence St-Germain (St. Ferréol-les-Neiges, QC) sat in 14th after the first run and moved up a spot to finish 13th for her third top 15 in three races this season. Amelia Smart (Invermere, BC) was 26th after the first run and moved up three spots to finish 23rd on the day.
Kiki Alexander (Cochrane, AB) finished 38th in the first run and did not advance to the second run.
Next races:
Para alpine downhill again in Santa Catarina, (ITA) December 17
Men are in Val Gardena (ITA) for DH x2 and a SG December 18-20
Women head to Val D’Isere (FRA) for DH and SG December 20 and 21
Ski cross race next in Innichen (ITA) Dec 20 and 21
Follow Canada’s Ski Team this season on Alpine Canada’s website, across our social media accounts and subscribe to our newsletter here .
-30-
For more information or media inquiries please contact:
Mark Halliday
Alpine Canada
403 777 3204
media@alpinecanada.org
About Alpine Canada
Alpine Canada is the governing body for alpine, para-alpine, and ski cross racing in Canada, as well as for Canadian ski coaches, providing education, certification, insurance, and compliance with the coaching code of conduct. With the support of valued corporate partners and donors, along with the Government of Canada, Own the Podium, the Canadian Olympic Committee, and the Coaching Association of Canada, Alpine Canada develops Olympic, Paralympic, World Championship, and World Cup athletes to stimulate visibility, inspiration, and growth in the ski community.