On Feb. 22, Alpine Canada officially announced the athletes who will represent Canada in ski cross at the 2023 FIS Freestyle World Ski Championships in Bakuriani, Georgia.
Through 11 of 14 World Cup events this season, Canada is in a tight battle for the ski cross Nations Cup crown as well as in the individual rankings for season title Crystal Globe awards. Marielle Thompson of Whistler is second in the women’s standings, and Reece Howden from Cultus Lake, B.C. is currently tops among men.
“We have a terrific group of athletes representing Canada on the World Cup circuit this season,” said ski cross head coach Stanley Hayer in a press release. “The whole team has pushed and supported each other, and the results show in the standings. This group headed to the world championships will undoubtedly impress Canadians with their commitment and effort.”
Thompson won the 57th World Cup medal of her career on Feb. 16 in Austria. She is, of course, the incumbent Olympic ski cross silver medallist and the former champion from Sochi 2014. It will be interesting to see if the 30-year-old can finally end Sandra Naeslund's reign of dominance, as the Swedish Olympic victor from Beijing has yet to lose a race all season.
Howden, also known as "Big Rig", is trying to capture his second Crystal Globe after winning the coveted honour in 2021. The 24-year-old placed ninth at the Beijing Winter Olympics and fifth at the 2021 World Championships. He also owns a Youth Olympic Games gold medal from back in 2016.
Other names to keep an eye on include 2018 Olympic ski cross king Brady Leman, two-time Olympian Kevin Drury and two more B.C. athletes: Courtney Hoffos of Windermere and Tiana Gairns from Prince George.
“It has been a strong season for the team, and especially for these eight athletes,” said David Ellis, high performance director of ski cross. “With Reece and Marielle leading the way, this team is making their presence felt at every race. The athletes selected to this world championships team have consistently shown the ability to compete with the best."
“These athletes represent the best in Canada and are some of the best in the world,” added Therese Brisson, President and CEO of Alpine Canada. “Like all Canadians, I’m looking forward to the excitement and thrills of these athletes competing at the ski cross world championships.”
Qualifying races begin on Feb. 23. Medals will be up for grabs on Feb. 24, with the team event to follow on Feb 25. Visit the FIS website for more information and CBC Sports for streaming options.
