Calgary, AB. (March 1, 2025) — Two-time Crystal globe winner Reece Howden (Cultus Lake, BC) got back on the top step of an FIS World Cup ski cross race on Saturday, winning in Gudauri, GEO, while Courtney Hoffos (Windermere, BC) captured third on the women’s side

With overall World Cup titles in 2021 and 2023, the win marks Howden’s fourth of the season – his most in a single season since 2021 – and fifth podium. Meanwhile, it brings the 26-year-old to 15 wins and 27 podiums in his 74 career races.

After not making it past the first round of knockout heats on Friday, the victory was a vital bounce back for Howden, who finished ahead of Germany’s Florian Wilmsmann, who took second and Friday’s winner, Simone Deromedis of Italy, who took third.

“I was not happy after yesterday,” Howden said. “I wanted to really make a statement, and also, Deromedis is skiing really fast, and I did not want to give him another easy win, so I really laid it down and made sure I left it all on the course.”

“Racing is hard right now, the competition is high, everybody’s skiing really fast, and you’ve just got to focus on the better days.”

Hoffos, meanwhile, faced some challenges after a slow start in the semifinal. She was behind Canadian teammate India Sherret (Cranbrook, BC), whom she eventually passed before qualifying for the final. Sherret, who was third on Friday, won the small final to finish in fifth place. 

For the 27-year-old Hofffos, who finished behind Switzerland’s Fanny Smith and Italy’s Jole Galli,  it was her eighth podium of her career and second of the season, after missing 2023-24 due to injury. 

It was also the second time she stood on the box in Gudauri, after finishing second on the Georgian slope in the team event in 2021 alongside former Canadian skier Chris del Bosco. 

Added Hoffos: “It was feeling pretty good on the track all day, and after India passed me [in the semifinal], I knew I had some work to do, but I built up some speed at the end and had a bit of a cheeky pass.” 

In the overall World Cup standings, Howden’s win pushed him to third, only behind Deromedis and Wilmsmann, with 658 points and four races remaining. At the same time, Sherret held onto her overall lead on the women’s side with 795 points, ahead of Thompson in second with 744.

Other Canadian results on both sides included Jared Schmidt (Ottawa, ON) and Gavin Rowell (Prince George, BC), who were eliminated in the quarterfinals, while the same went for Abby McEwen (Edmonton, AB) and Marielle Thompson (Whistler, BC). 

With the stop in Georgia now behind them, the Canadian skiers look homeward to the two World Cup races in Craigleith, ON, from March 12-15, before heading back over to Europe and Idre Fjäll, SWE for World Cup finals from March 28-30. 

“Bring your bells and bring your loud voices,” Howden told fans ahead of the team’s home races. We’re excited to come home and race in front of you guys, and we hope everyone can come out and enjoy the event.”

Next CANskiteam World Cup races: (link to FIS Calendar)

Women’s Alpine World Cup slalom and giant slalom in Åre, SWE from Feb. 28 - March 1

Men’s Alpine World Cup giant slalom and slalom in Kranjska Gora, SLO from March 1-2

Para Alpine World Cup Finals super-G and downhill in Sella Nevea, ITA from March 12-16

Ski cross races in Craigleith, ON from March 12-15

Follow Canada’s Ski Team this season on Alpine Canada’s website, across our social media accounts and subscribe to our newsletter.

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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.