‘We’re back, baby!' Olympic champion Regez wins first race for three years after injury

The last time Ryan Regez (SUI) stood on a ski cross podium was as a gold medallist at the Beijing 2022 Olympic Winter Games. And after suffering a serious cruciate ligament injury in a World Cup race in Arose, Switzerland in December 2022, he wondered if he would ever taste success in the sport again.

But more than three years after winning his sixth World Cup race, the 2022 Crystal Globe champion won his seventh in Val di Fassa, Italy on Sunday – and the feeling couldn’t have been sweeter for the 32-year-old.

“Oh man, it’s been three years since I’ve been in a final,” a clearly delighted Regez said. “Or on a podium. Or on the top of a podium. It was the Olympics last time. What a feeling to be here again. It’s been a tough ride. It’s been a long road.”

“Honestly, I was always doubting myself, wondering if I’ve still got it, working so hard, didn’t ski well, head wasn’t there, body wasn’t there. But eventually I was able to put all the pieces together.”

Increasingly overcast skies but perfect underfoot conditions greeted the athletes in the Italian Dolomites on what is a new FIS Ski Cross World Cup course.

And a fast start was more important than ever on what appeared to be a slowish layout with lots of rollers and only one particularly difficult corner – a sharp, steep left-hander just before the bottom section.

After cruising through his heat, World Cup leader Simone Deromedis (ITA) found himself out of position in his quarter-final after a slow start, and ended up missing out on the semi-finals in a photo finish. The Italian was visibly angry as he crossed the line, aware of how costly it could be in the Overall standings with Youri Duplessis Kergomard and Florian Wilmsmann (GER) lying in wait.

Both made it through to the Big Final but after a blanket start, they were no match for Regez, who led from start to finish ahead of Alex Fiva (SUI), who also finish second behind his compatriot in the Olympic final.

Regez whooped and hollered as he crossed the finish line, putting both arms out and looking to the heavens as if to say, ‘at last’. He then looked to the television camera and said, “we’re back, baby”, the relief etched across his face.

“I knew this was the course for me,” Regez said. “It’s flat, you’ve got to glide, you’ve got to be fast. This feels so unreal still but I knew I had it in me – somewhere. And today I was unable to unleash the beast and I’m just so happy.”

“It’s a huge confidence boost for tomorrow knowing I can be fast here. I’ve had good trainings, good qualifications. I knew I had to go hard. It was good racing today. I got a warning in the semis… so be it. It’s a great course. It’s a minute-long running time but my gosh do you feel the legs at the finish.”

Duplessis Kergomard, meanwhile, had been pushing hard to get back in contention, knowing how important World Cup points would be after Deromedis’ early elimination. So hard, in fact, that he ran wide coming out of the last big turn and crashed into the netting, nearly taking out Wilmsmann in the process.

Thankfully the Frenchman managed to walk away unhurt, while the German finished third to retake the Overall lead he surrendered in Veysonnaz, Switzerland last week.

“It’s a really nice feeling to be back on the podium, I’m really happy with that,” Wilmsmann said. He now leads Deromedis by 16 points with Duplessis Kergomard a further 24 behind.

“The final was really tight. I thought I was in a good position in second place after Ryan [Regez]. I knew he was really fast and he pushed me out in the negative turn so I lost a little bit of speed there. I tried some passes but they never came through, then I tried to get there [the podium] on the last turn and it worked out pretty well so I’m happy.

“It’s nice [to be back on top of the Overall standings] but there are so many races to come so that’s not the focus. Today’s races show you can make it from any position. You have to start fast, race clean and fight all the way to the finish line.”

Too-good Thompson makes it three wins in row

In the women’s race, Marielle Thompson (CAN) proved her enduring class with a third World Cup victory in a row to move ahead of her rivals in the Overall standings.

Like Deromedis, fellow Crystal Globe contender Daniela Maier (GER) failed to make it past the quarter-finals, allowing herself to be overtaken on the finish line.

There were no such problems for Thompson, who looked completely untroubled on her way to a Big Final to take her place alongside India Sherret (CAN), who started the day just 14 points ahead of her compatriot.

Sherret made a trademark flying start but lost all momentum after being overtaken by Marielle Berger Sabbatel (FRA) coming out of a big jump, whereas reigning World Cup champion Thompson timed her run to perfection before crossing the line with a single punch of the air. Berger Sabbatel took second with Courtney Hoffos (CAN) in third.

“Oh wow, that’s good to know,” the 32-year-old said after being told her 36^th World Cup victory had taken her back to the top of the Overall standings by 36 points. “As all we Canadians know, India [Sherret] has a very fast start so I kinda knew what I was getting into and just remained patient the whole way down. I had some speed at the bottom during training so I knew I had that in my back pocket. Stoked with another win, this place is awesome, I love Italy.

“I think this win gives me lots of confidence going into the race tomorrow. I knew I had speed on this course. If I can just get the start a little better tomorrow, we’ll be in business.”

Day two of racing in Val di Fassa takes place on Sunday 9 February, starting at 12:10pm CET