Photo: Christine Olsson /TT News Agency
Photo: Christine Olsson /TT News Agency

Six World Cup victories lands Thompson ski cross crystal globe

Olympic champion Marielle Thompson is dominated the 2016-2017 World Cup season and captured the coveted ski cross crystal globe in Sunny Valley, Russia.

Thompson was no stranger to the podium this season, with six World Cup victories and one silver. The Olympic champion’s success started with gold at the season’s opener in Val Thorens. This set the pace for the Canadian, who went on to win in Austria, Sweden and twice in Italy before her latest feat in Russia.

2016-17 World Cup season: Val Thorens | Arosa | Montafon |Innichen Watles | Idre Fjall 

Marielle Thompson and Sandra Naslund from Sweden after finishing 1-2 in ski cross at the World Cup in Idre, Sweden, on Feb. 12, 2017

Marielle Thompson and Sandra Naeslund from Sweden after finishing 1-2 in ski cross at the World Cup in Idre, Sweden, on Feb. 12, 2017

In Russia, Thompson topped the podium ahead of Sweden’s Sandra Naeslund who took silver and bronze medallist Ophelie David of France. Her win expanded her commanding lead in the overall rankings, giving her 865 points and the crystal globe awarded to the overall world cup leader.

Related: Thompson and Simmerling share podium in Italy

“It feels good to know I’ve got the globe,” said Thompson after her race. “That was kind of what today was all about, having a good race and making it official so I can go to Blue Mountain with less stress. So today went perfectly. I’m thrilled.”

Related: Thompson golden; Leman nabs silver in Val Thorens

The World Cup action isn’t over for Canada’s ski cross racers. Next weekend the team will return home for the World Cup finals hosted at Blue Mountain, where Canadians will look for their final podium of the season in front of a home crowd. Thompson will also be presented with her crystal globe at the conclusion of the competition.