Calgary, AB, (January 20, 2021) – In snowy conditions, Marielle Thompson stood on her 45th career World Cup podium today in Idre Fjäll, SWE. Picking up right where she left off in 2020, Marielle led the Canadian team down the 600m sprint course, where athletes battled it out from the start to the finish.  Today’s race is the first of three World Cup races in Idre Fjäll this week, but the only sprint event, with a pair of full-length courses to be raced over the weekend.

For Marielle, who won in Idre Fjäll in 2016 and 2017, this is just the beginning of an important, and busy racing block.  Earlier this week FIS announced the FIS Cross World Championships will be held in Idre Fjäll on February 11 – 13, 2021, making these races valuable preparation for this year's major event. 

“The course got a lot slower throughout the day, so we really had to adapt,” Marielle said after her race. “I had a fast training run and I’m feeling a lot better after some time off. I always love coming back here, I love the big jumps, all the airtime, and going fast. I’m looking forward to the full-length course.”

With his fifth-place finish Reece Howden, who won his second career World Cup race at the end of 2020, remains the overall men’s leader. 

“I wasn’t sure if I was going to able to keep it (the leader’s bib) or not. I am excited to get back after it on the full-length course. I’m hungry for more,” Reece said. 

Reece looks to get back on the podium this weekend when the team has two more shots at ski cross glory. Catch all the action beginning Saturday at 7 AM ET / 5 AM MT on cbcsports.ca. 

Team Results

Men’s Ski Cross
5th – Reece Howden
13th – Chris Del Bosco
13th – Brady Leman
33rd – Carson Cook 
33rd – Kris Mahler
48th – Jared Schmidt 

Women’s Ski Cross
2nd – Marielle Thompson
9th – Courtney Hoffos
13th – Tiana Gairns
13th – Zoe Chore
17th – Hannah Schmidt 
 

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Whitney Hunter I Manager of Communications 
whunter@alpinecanada.org I 403-471-6032

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. In 2020/21, Alpine Canada celebrates 100 years of rich tradition in competitive skiing in Canada.