Canada's Reece Howden secured his record-extending 24th World Cup ski cross gold medal on March 12 in Montafon, Austria, marking his sixth victory in 12 races this season. The win bolstered his lead in the overall standings with 843 points, 247 ahead of Italy's Simone Deromedis. Sweden's Sandra Naeslund also triumphed in the women's event, extending her record to 47 World Cup wins.
Reece Howden of Chilliwack, B.C., dominated the FIS Ski Cross World Cup race in Montafon, winning all his heats to claim gold in the big final. He finished 0.12 seconds ahead of silver medallist Simone Deromedis of Italy, with Switzerland's Alex Fiva taking bronze, 0.49 seconds behind Howden. Fiva, at 40 years old, became the oldest male athlete to podium in a World Cup ski cross event.
"It was a good track, really tight racing. Even if you were really strong in qualis, it's kind of tricky to get away from guys. But, fun track and it was amazing having the sun come out just for the big final," Howden said.
Deromedis, the reigning Olympic champion, expressed satisfaction despite the gap. "I need to make points on Reece," she said. "Being second behind him is not the best option but I’m really happy with my skiing. I felt really confident on this track, I like it, I had fun."
In the men's small final, Canada's Jared Schmidt of Ottawa placed second for sixth overall, while Kris Mahler of Canmore, Alta., finished 20th and Kaleb Barnum of Fernie, B.C., 24th.
On the women's side, Naeslund led from early in the big final, finishing 0.06 seconds ahead of Germany's Daniela Maier, who earned her 50th top-eight finish on her 100th World Cup start. Italy's Jole Galli took bronze, 0.58 seconds behind Naeslund, with Canada's Hannah Schmidt of Ottawa fourth, 0.04 seconds after Galli. Marielle Thompson of Whistler, B.C., placed ninth after falling in her quarterfinal, and Tiana Gairns of Prince George, B.C., was 12th.
Naeslund now leads the women's standings with 968 points, 165 ahead of Maier on 803. Schmidt ranks seventh overall with 393 points.
Howden, a three-time Crystal Globe winner, nears a fourth season title with four races remaining. The circuit continues at Craigleith Ski Club near Collingwood, Ont., on March 21 and 22.
