Canada’s Marielle Thompson made it three in a row on Saturday in Val di Fassa, Italy.
The Whistler, B.C., native raced to her third straight ski cross gold medal on the World Cup circuit, beating French skier Marielle Berger Sabbatel to the finish line.
Thompson was joined on the podium by her teammate Courtney Hoffos, of Windermere, B.C., who claimed bronze.
India Sherret, of Cranbrook, B.C., finished just off the podium in fourth place.
WATCH | Thompson, Hoffos land on ski-cross podium in Italy:
Marielle Thompson of Whistler, B.C., claimed gold, Courtney Hoffos of Windermere, B.C., won bronze and India Sherret of Cranbrook, B.C., finished fourth in the women’s big final, at the FIS ski cross World Cup event at the Val di Fassa ski resort in the Dolomites, in Italy.
Thompson, who took the Crystal Globe as 2023-24 season champion, earned her 36th World Cup victory and 73rd career podium. She swept last weekend’s races in Veysonnaz, Switzerland.
“Great racing today. It’s really exciting to have three wins in a row,” Thompson said.
“I just have to refocus heading into tomorrow as it’s a new race. I feel good on my skis and am prepared and confident for tomorrow. I just need to make a few little changes and figure out the start, but I’m happy with where I’m at and super stoked to be leading the World Cup again.”
Hoffos reached the podium for the first time since returning from a major knee injury. The 27-year-old missed the entire 2023-24 World Cup season.
“I was super excited to be on the podium, especially after a long season off and doing ACL rehab, so it feels like we’ve been trusting the process, and I’m getting back up to speed,” Hoffos said.
The top Canadian finisher in the men’s event was a seventh-place result for Reece Howden, of Cultus Lake, B.C.
Ryan Regez of Switzerland won the event.
The Canadians return to the slopes of Val di Fassa on Sunday before three more stops on the World Cup tour, including a home race in Craigleith, Ont. from March 12-15 and the March 22-23 world championships in Engadin, Switzerland.
