As the ski cross World Cup reaches its midpoint, athletes are pushing hard at Val di Fassa, the final stop before the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympics. Leaders like Reece Howden vow not to hold back, emphasizing full commitment in every race. The event promises a challenging course familiar to Italian competitors.
The FIS Ski Cross World Cup season has hit its halfway point, leaving athletes physically drained yet more determined than ever. This week began with the announcement of entries for the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games, heightening the stakes as competitors head to Val di Fassa in Italy for the last pre-Olympic races.
Canadian leader Reece Howden, chasing a fourth Crystal Globe, recently triumphed in the January 24 final at Veysonnaz after a runner-up finish the previous day to France's Youri Duplessis-Kergomard. Howden stresses the importance of maintaining peak performance now. "The biggest mistake people can do is to try to save something for the Games," he said. "The best thing you can do for the Games is come in hauling, keep skiing fast, and stay there, and that’s the plan."
Duplessis-Kergomard, 29 and third in the standings, earned a spot on France's Olympic roster alongside Evan Klufts, Melvin Tchiknavorian, and Terence Tchiknavorian. He focuses on the present during races: "Once I’m in the race, it’s really about the present moment, not the future, not the past. The goal is to give everything in the moment and keep full commitment, because the best way to make mistakes is actually to hold back."
Marielle Thompson, a four-time Crystal Globe winner from Canada, made her season debut in Veysonnaz after recovering from a knee injury, securing a podium spot. The 33-year-old, who won here last season, aims to stay prepared: "I didn’t have a goal other than racing when I felt ready and my knee felt good as well. My approach remains the same, just being as prepared as possible with my workouts and making sure my body feels strong and ready."
The Val di Fassa course, spanning 1,100 meters with a 160-meter vertical drop, features jumps up to 30 meters and sections exceeding 100 km/h, testing power and precision on the Park Monzoni slope—home training ground for Italy's national team. Local favorites Jole Galli and Simone Deromedis anticipate a tough challenge. Galli, the reigning Italian champion, won her first World Cup here last year and expects "interesting overtaking." Deromedis, 25 and second overall, has raced 13 times in Italy without a home victory but relishes the support: "Racing in Italy is always nice, especially here where I really feel at home. The biggest advantage is going to be the good home food and the crowd cheering."
The races are set for January 30 and 31.
