Naeslund extends all-time record, Tchicknavorian with second career win
Dec 13, 2022·Ski Cross
It was a spectacular night of racing in Arosa (SUI) on Monday as the FIS Ski Cross World Cup tour made it’s return to the scenic Graubunden resort for the ninth straight season. There Arosa’s thrilling sprint-style course played host to a triumphant night for the unbeatable Sandra Naeslund in the women’s event, while Terence Tchiknavorian earned the first French victory of the season on the men’s side.
Naeslund extands her all-time record of most victories
Monday's big final saw a rematch of the Beijing 2022 Olympic Winter Games big final, with Sandra Naeslund (SWE) in red, Marielle Thompson (CAN) in green, Daniela Maier (GER) in blue, and Fanny Smith (SUI) in yellow. Naeslund was racing in a different league once again today, from her first heats straight through the big final.
After the first feature, Naeslund had already opened up a sizeable lead over her competitors, meaning that the only question in the big final was who fill out the other two spots on the podium.
After the start section it was Thompson who was leading the pursuers into the first turn, followed by Maier and Smith, with Naeslund essentially skiing her own race on her way to her third-straight victory. Some mistakes by Smith saw her fade away behind Maier, with Thompson sweeping through to her second runner-up finish of the season and Maier finishing in third.
The win was Naeslund’s third straight so far in 2022/23 and her 15th straight victory dating back to the end of the 2020/21 season, as the 26-year-old continues a reign of ski cross dominance the likes of which has simply never before been seen in the sport.
Tchicknavorian with his first win of the season
On the men’s side of things in Arosa a new race meant faces in the big final men. With qualification winner David Mobaerg (SWE) sweeping through to finals in the red bib, Tim Hronek (GER) in green, Terence Tchiknavorian (FRA) in blue and Reece Howden (CAN) in yellow earning their place in the big final start gate.
Out of the gate it was Tchiknavorian with the fastest reaction time, though that advantage was short lived as he was quickly overtaken by Howden and Mobaerg after the first two features, and Hronek bringing up the rear in fourth.
Hronek, however, did not give up, and some super tight racing through the first two turns lead to a fight for the second place between Howden and Hronek, with Hronek slingshotting through to a battle for first position against Mobaerg.
While Hronek was able to pull even with Mobaerg right before the next jump, the German skier touched Mobaerg in the air, slowing both racers down and opening the way for Howden to use his speed looking for the overtake.
Unfortunately for Howden the pass attempt failed when Hronek and the Canadian entangled themselves with their poles. With all three of the frontrunners dumping speed just before the finish, Tchiknavorian seized the opportunity, carrying through to his second career World Cup win, followed by Howden in second. While Hronek crossed the finish line in third position, the final spot on the podium would go to Mobaerg after it was determined that Hronek straddled a gate, relegating him to fourth.
New World Cup leaders: Sandra Naeslund (SWE) and Matthias Graf (AUT)
After a short break the ski cross circuit will go to Innichen (ITA), where the athletes will battle in back-to-back races for their share pdf South Tyrolian speck - the traditional winner’s prize for each of the races in Innichen/San Candido (ITA). Qualification will take place on 20 December and the back-to-back races from 21-22 December.
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