Calgary, Alta. (February 9, 2025) —Call it Ski Cross 101 for Canada’s National Ski Cross Team. 

Reece Howden (Cultus Lake, BC) captured his third win of the season in Val di Fassa, ITA, on Sunday, conquering the course in snowy and foggy conditions to earn Canada its 101st all-time win in FIS Ski Cross World Cup history. 

The win marked the fourth podium of the season for the 26-year-old, two-time Crystal Globe winner, making his way up to the top step at the Italian resort after reaching third place in Veysonnaz, SUI, the week prior. 

“Today’s racing was wild. I don't know if I've experienced a Ski Cross track race like this, but there was so much opportunity today, and I was skiing fast,” Howden said of the track and the less-than-ideal conditions. “I didn't have much game plan other than ‘just race,’ and I think that's probably a good mentality.”

“Huge thanks to the team and all the volunteers who made this race happen –– these are far from ideal conditions, but they did a great job, and the team did great... rock on.”

Canada’s 100th win on the World Cup circuit came on Saturday, with Marielle Thompson (Whistler, BC) topping the podium. However, the 32-year-old was eliminated in the quarterfinals on Sunday, ending her streak of three straight wins. 

Howden’s victory came in an untraditional fashion for the man nicknamed “Big Rig,” as he fell back to fourth place before making three passes to take the top spot and the 14th win and 26th podium of his career. 

“It was honestly just racing; there were mistakes made, but I knew I was really fast on the course, so I relied on that, and that draft was a big factor today –– there was so much going on, it was tough to really focus on one specific thing, so I tried to be bombing the start gate, and focus on myself,” Howden said. 

“It was a lot of fun. It’s always fun to pass guys in Ski Cross, and that’s why we do it. It feels better sometimes when you’re out in front leading the whole day, but going fourth to first in the big final is something special and something I’ve not done before.”

It was also a big day in the women’s race, with Abby McEwen (Edmonton, Alta.) qualifying for her first big final in her 52nd World Cup start, eventually finishing fourth after making the most of the conditions through the first two rounds. 

The 28-year-old’s previous best had been sixth, including Saturday’s race on the same course. 

“It felt like it was anyone’s game, with the conditions, the unknown, the drafts and the speed, so I just did my best each run, made a few passes, and I’m really excited,” she said post-race ahead of a few days off. “I’m going to rest up [ahead of the next stop in Gudauri, GEO] and keep the good feelings and hopefully keep the momentum going into the next one.

Italy’s Simone Deromedis claimed second behind Howden, while Swiss veteran Ryan Regez took third. Italian skier Jole Galli won on home snow in the women's race, with France’s Marielle Berger-Sabbatel and Switzerland’s Fanny Smith rounding out the podium. 

Howden’s win also pushed him up the World Cup overall ranking to third, on 542 points, the top Canadian. Meanwhile, Thompson maintained her overall ranking lead on the women’s side with 710 points, closely followed by India Sherret (Cranbrook, BC) with 690. 

The Canadian skiers now go into a weekend off of racing on the World Cup circuit before hitting the racecourse again on Feb. 28 and March 1 in Gudauri, GEO, the final race before the home event in Craigleith, Ontario, from March 12 to 15. 

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

Ski cross race again in Gudauri (GEO) on February 28

Men's and Women's Alpine World Championships run in Saalbach (AUT) run until February 16

Para Alpine World Championships run until February 11 in Maribor (SLO)

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

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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.