Thompson wins silver for second career Olympic medal in women’s ski cross

Marielle Thompson has won her second Olympic medal in women’s ski cross, taking silver at Beijing 2022.

She adds to the gold medal she won at Sochi 2014.

In the big final, Thompson got out to a slow start and was trailing in fourth place for the first half of the race. But when she made her move, she got herself into second place behind Swede Sandra Naeslund, who has dominated the World Cup circuit this season, winning gold in all but one race. Thompson came through for the silver medal while Germany Daniela Maier was awarded third place following a lengthy video review. Initial third place finisher Fanny Smith of Switzerland was dropped to fourth for making side contact during the race.

Canada has never missed the Olympic podium in women’s ski cross. Ashleigh McIvor won gold in the event’s debut at Vancouver 2010, which was followed by Thompson and Kelsey Serwa finishing 1-2 at Sochi 2014. Serwa and Brittany Phelan won gold and silver at PyeongChang 2018. Thompson now joins Serwa as the only two-time Olympic medallists in the event.

Canada had four of the eight semifinalists, but Phelan, Courtney Hoffos and Hannah Schmidt all ended up in the B final, finishing fifth, sixth, and seventh respectively.