Galli and Deromedis make history for Italy in Innichen

German skier Daniela Maier completed a perfect weekend in Innichen on Saturday with only her third-ever FIS Ski Cross World Cup victory, bumping her up to the overall lead in the standings.

But there were big celebrations for Italy, as Jole Galli became the first-ever Italian to reach the podium in Innichen. Galli skied solidly throughout the day and finished second to Maier in the big final, with Marielle Berger Sabbatel (FRA) taking third place once again.

Fellow Italian Simone Deromedis joined Galli on the podium with third place in the men’s big final, behind Reece Howden (CAN) and Alex Fiva (SUI) but ahead of Johannes Aujesky (AUT).

“It was tough, so many years I never could do the podium. Three years ago I was fourth, so very close, but couldn’t do it. I’m super happy to be on the podium today in front of my family, my friends. It’s a very special day for me,” Deromedis told FIS after the race.

Deromedis said he preferred Saturday’s conditions to those experienced on Friday.

“This night was really cold, the snow got really iced and I like really much more the conditions today. And also maybe the mindset, I was going just all in, because I have a tough relationship with San Candido, so I just said let’s go and do what I can do.”

Galle, who suffered a knee injury at the start of last season, said the result was due to a good summer of training.

“I am happy to be back on the podium, finally, after the injury. I was really already yesterday just a little bit more convinced. It worked,” she said.

'So special'

Maier won the qualification round but was edged into second in the quarter-final behind Canada’s Marielle Thompson, who started the weekend as the overall World Cup leader. However, in the semi-final, Thompson could not find the pace and missed out, together with compatriot Hannah Schmidt, as Maier cruised through to the big final.

The German maintained her superb form ahead of Galli in the final, while India Sherret (CAN) was fourth to stay in second place overall.

“It’s really just so special for me. I’m a little bit speechless, I just want to say thank you to everybody,” Maier said.

She said she would get back to training after a short Christmas break in order to hold her top overall rank.

“It was always a big dream to have it for sure once, and now I try to hold it for the season. I’m really happy and it was a crazy two days,” Maier added.

Berger Sabbatel said: “I feel good here. I really like the snow, and I’m happy to have two podiums in a row. I did a great start. India (Sherret) had some troubles and she just took me out of the slope, but it’s ski cross.”

The women’s small final ended in a Canadian one-two-three, with Schmidt taking the win ahead of compatriots Thompson and Courtney Hoffos. Talina Gantenbein (SUI) recorded a DNF after clipping skis with Schmidt.

Berger Sabbatel now sits fourth overall, ahead of Gantenbein in fifth, while Galli’s Innichen podium puts her sixth.

Clean skiing pays off for Howden

Howden’s win in the men’s event was some consolation for Canada, who did not manage any podium places on day one in Innichen. The result bumped Howden up to second overall, behind Friday’s winner Florian Wilmsmann of Germany.

“Yesterday was a little bit tougher. It’s hard racing, it’s really competitive and physically it’s difficult. Mistakes happen in those environments,” Howden said, summing up his weekend.

“I was just happy to be able to make some corrections for today and ski cleaner, for the most part, and just send it. Last race before Christmas, there’s no reason leaving anything in the tank.”

Wilmsmann and 2023/24 World Cup winner David Mobaerg (SWE) clashed in their semi-final, making room for Fiva and Deromedis to secure the two big final spots. Wilmsmann was more secure in the small final, winning ahead of Ryan Regez (SUI), Federico Tomasoni (ITA) and Mobaerg.

That was enough to keep the German top overall, with Howden now second and Deromedis third. Fiva and Aujesky round out the top five.

The FIS Ski Cross World Cup season resumes on 14 January in Reiteralm, Austria.