India Sherret takes World Cup victory, Marielle Thompson and Kevin Drury repeat on podium
Team Canada’s ski cross squad have opened their 2024-25 season with a bang at the first FIS Ski Cross World Cup of the season in Val Thorens, France. On the second day of racing, Team Canada ski cross athletes notched an additional three podiums to go along with two from Thursday.
India Sherret took the top step of the women’s podium, an achievement that marks a second career World Cup victory for the PyeongChang 2018 Olympian. Sherret was joined on the podium by teammate three-time Olympian Marielle Thompson in third. This is the second podium in as many days for Thompson, and the 69th of her career. Germany’s Daniela Maier found herself between the Canadians on the podium. Hannah Schmidt raced in the small final on Friday, as she did on Thursday.
On the men’s side, Kevin Drury repeated his podium performance from Thursday, once again finding the third step of the podium. Alex Fiva of Switzerland and Adam Kappacher of Austria tied for first.
Athletes had to battle intense wind for the races. The wind was so strong that the start was moved down to the reserve starting area, and the course crew was unable to erect a new starting hut. This was the first time such measures had to be taken in 13 years.
Marielle Thompson takes first ski cross World Cup victory of the season, Kevin Drury places third
Last season’s Crystal Globe winner Marielle Thompson came out swinging on Thursday, taking the victory in the season opener. Last season saw Thompson find the podium in eight of 16 races, including six wins. The top spot at Val Thorens marks her 32nd career victory. Thompson was joined on the podium by Switzerland’s Fanny Smith in second and Germany’s Daniela Maier in third.
The depth of Team Canada’s women was on display in France, with India Sherret and Hannah Schmidt both racing in the small final, placing fifth and eighth overall, respectively.
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On the men’s side, Kevin Drury also found the podium at the first World Cup of the season, taking third place. Teammate Reece Howden narrowly missed out on the podium, finishing fourth in the big final. The race was won by Italy’s Simone Deromedis, followed by Germany’s Florian Wilmsmann.
The result marks Drury’s 14th career World Cup podium, but his first since January 2022. The 36-year-old said afterwards that just a couple months ago he was pondering retirement after dealing with a string of injuries, but his body now feels the best it has in a couple of years.
The Canadians will head next to Arosa, Switzerland for another World Cup on Monday and Tuesday. The ski cross World Cup circuit will feature nine stops, including one at home in Craigleith, Ontario on March 12-15.
