Thompson on course for Crystal Globe after leading Canada sweep in Veysonnaz

Marielle Thompson has one hand on the women’s FIS Ski Cross World Cup title after a dominant victory in Veysonnaz, Switzerland on Saturday. A three-time Crystal Globe winner, the 31-year-old hasn’t topped the standings at the end of the season since 2017, but has found form just at the right time, winning four of the last five races and five of the last seven to take a 72-point lead into Idre Fjall, Sweden, where the skiers will contest two races next weekend.

Alex Fiva (SUI) now leads the men’s standings by 47 points. While the Olympic silver medallist finished second in Veysonnaz behind David Mobaerg (SWE), the Swiss skier took advantage of Reece Howden’s failure to make it past the heats to leapfrog the Canadian in the standings. Mobaerg is just a point further back, with Florian Wilmsmann (GER) also within touching distance going into the final weekend.

Before the start of the day, Thompson said the Veysonnaz course was about ‘being smart’ and the 2014 Olympic champion seemed to have it worked out from the start, staying out of trouble – and out in front – to comfortably make it through to the Big Final, where she was joined by Marielle Berger Sabbatel (FRA), her closest challenger in the race for the Crystal Globe.

But the French skier, amazingly consistent this season but still without a World Cup victory, made a mistake early in the final, nearly clipping the back of Thompson’s skis then running wide. Berger Sabbatel recovered well, but her rival was already well clear, cruising across the line ahead of Canadian teammates Brittany Phelan and India Sherret to claim 100 points and, crucially, 50 more than Berger Sabbatel.

“It’s a really special day, to stand on the podium with my teammates,” Thompson said. “I think maybe one time the Canadian women have swept the podium but I know I’ve never been part of it and I know these girls haven’t.

“I couldn’t have told you [that it was my 30^th victory] but my mum has been keeping track, so very cool. I’m looking forward to the next race in Idre with some confidence in my skiing and good feelings.”

Thompson wouldn’t be drawn on her chances of winning her fourth World Cup title: “I’m taking it feature by feature, heat by heat, race by race. I’m trying not to get ahead of myself because I know how hard things can be from the past.”

Phelan was delighted with second place, despite her deficit of 158 points to Thompson looking unassailable. “It felt pretty good on the track all week, but you had to ski pretty smart today. If you weren’t in the lead, you needed to know where you are and not get caught in the snow tracks and stay away from contact. I skied tactically well and was having a lot of fun.”

Sherret paid tribute to her teammates: “Marielle and Brittany helped me become the skier I am, I really looked up to them.

“I’m looking to just take this result forward. Idre is one of my favourite tracks – everything I love about ski cross.”

While the women’s Crystal Globe is Thompson’s to lose, the men  entered Saturday’s race in Veysonnaz with the top seven separated by just 86 points. But with leader Howden, as well as Erik Mobaerg (SWE) and Terence Tchiknavorian (FRA), failing to make it past the heats, it was left to the others take advantage.

And while it was the other Mobaerg brother, David, who claimed victory in Veysonnaz – emerging at the front after a tight start on a course that was proving particularly difficult for overtaking – it is Fiva who is now pole position to claim his second Crystal Globe, 11 years on from his first, after taking second here.

“I’m just happy to be able to stay focused for the past few days,” the 38-year-old said. "I did amazing passing today. I waited for my shot [in the final] but David [Mobaerg] didn’t make a mistake, so I’m really happy. My team tech[nician] did an amazing job today, so I could just concentrate on the race.

Mobaerg, who leapfrogged his brother to move into third place in the overall standings, claimed his third career victory in Veysonnaz. “I’m really happy to take victory here again, the champagne tastes so good,” he said. “It’s very difficult conditions so you’ve got to have a good start and make it all the way down.”

Wilmsmann, who finished third, is also in Crystal Globe contention. “I will concentrate on my skiing, not think too much about the overall World Cup,” the German said of the final round of races. “It’s really tight so it’s going to be a really great end to the season.”