Overall lead only matters at the end of the season, says Deromedis as Innichen looms

Italy’s Simone Deromedis says it’s a “great feeling” to be the men’s overall leader, but feels that it will only matter if that’s still the case come the end of the FIS Ski Cross World Cup season.

Deromedis opened his campaign with a win earlier this month, pipping the impressive Florian Wilmsmann to the post in the big final on day one at Val Thorens, before a relatively disappointing result of 17th on day two.

However, the Italian bounced back in fine style in the night race in Arosa on Tuesday, beaten by Reece Howden (CAN) in a photo finish under the lights to finish second and climb top of the overall where he leads Howden in second and Wilmsmann in third.

"It's a great feeling having the golden bib now, and the only thing that matters is to have it after the last race,” Deromedis told FIS. “I’ll try keep it as long as I can."

You could argue that things are lining up in Deromedis’ favour, with the next stop on the World Cup tour taking the skiers to Innichen in Italy for races on Friday 20 and Saturday 21 December - but it’s not a course that has yielded a podium for the 24-year-old since his first time racing there in 2019.

"My best result is fourth, I've only made it once to the big final there,” he says of his experience on the Italian track.

“It would be really amazing to do well in front of the home crowd and in front of all my family. All my friends are coming so I'm really counting on doing well in that race - it would be the best feeling ever for me.”

Perhaps things are about to change for him in Innichen. Deromedis has been lightning fast in qualification, something that is always pivotal in Ski Cross but in particular in races like the most recent in Arosa, where a good early line made all the difference on a short track.

The Italian qualified second for that race, to go with qualifications of first and third in Val Thorens. He’s skiing incredibly quickly this season and it’s showing in his improved results- last year’s first three races saw him claim finishes of 42nd, 29th and 19th.

"This year I'm doing really well in qualifying,” he says. “It was always a difficult point for me to be good and consistent in the qualifying.

"Last season I didn't start well for maybe the same reason that I'm doing well now - last year we couldn't ski the whole summer, we had some problems because the snow conditions on the glaciers and everything weren't the best.

“So this year I came to the first race way more prepared, so I have started on a higher gear.”

He’s not the only one. Wilmsmann has flown out the blocks in the early stages of the season while Howden has impressed with his usual consistency.

Howden’s compatriot Kevin Drury is fourth after a pair of podium finishes in Val Thorens, and Alex Fiva (SUI) has shown no signs of letting up as he won his 14th World Cup via an historic first-ever big final tie in Ski Cross history along with Adam Kappacher (AUT) on day two in France.

"We've had already two photo finishes and the first ever tie in Ski Cross history,” reflected Deromedis on the men’s competition.

“I can tell the competitiveness is growing a lot. More nations are coming and more nations are competitive and I think the sport in general is growing a lot.”

‘I’ve had a lot of success in Innichen’

There has also been plenty of early-season jostling for places in the women’s section, with India Sherret flying through qualifying - remarkably finishing second in quali in each of the first three events - and the Canadians doing a clean sweep in Arosa as Marielle Thompson led the way ahead of Sherret and Hannah Schmidt.

There is the absence of Sweden’s Sandra Naeslund, who crashed out of the opening race of the season and hasn’t competed since, but skilful skiing from Daniela Maier of Germany and Switzerland’s Fanny Smith has ensured there are a few other countries in the top five along with the Canadians.

Thompson is the one leading the way ahead of Sherret and Maier, with Smith and Schmidt close behind, but the reigning women’s Crystal Globe winner is in no mood to relinquish her lead as she looks ahead to the races on Friday and Saturday in Innichen.

“My first World Cup was in Innichen, so it’s very cool to be going back there again,” the 33-time winner said. “It’s always a very special place for us.

“I’ve had a lot of success there and the course is super fun, really flowy and the turns are always a challenge. I’m up for it and ready for it.”

Sherret adds: “I’m hoping to just have some strong skiing. I really do like the track there even though I’ve never actually skied that well. I’m really looking forward to it.”

The first day of Ski Cross racing at Innichen will start at 12:15 CET on Friday, while day two kicks off on Saturday afternoon at 13:00 CET.