Up until an ill-timed knee injury, Marielle Thompson was having another rock-solid campaign.
The local ski-cross maestro netted half a dozen World Cup medals, five of them gold. She prevailed at the season opener in Val Thorens, triumphed again in Arosa's night event and built a three-race win streak earlier this year in Veysonnaz and Val di Fassa.
Adversity then struck partway through a late-February training run in Gudauri, Georgia.
"It wasn't anything crazy. I just caught an edge, and that was it," Thompson remembered. "Unfortunately, sometimes these things happen, but it just caught me by surprise. I know this [feeling] too well, but my mindset is similar to past injuries. It's really just trying to leave no stone unturned and working as much as I can every day to get back to my best.
"I had confidence from last year winning [my fourth] Crystal Globe, so I tried to bring that into my preseason, which went really well. Racing is the best form of training for most skiers, but especially ski-cross athletes. I felt confident and strong on my skis … it was really tight on top of the World Cup this year, but to be leading the World Cup overall most of the time was really special."
An optimistic recovery timeline would put the Whistlerite on skis in late summer or early fall, but things don't always go according to plan. She's cautiously hopeful at the moment and reports that her surgeon was pleased with the operation. There's but one thing left to do: put her head down and ride the rehab train.
This isn't Thompson's first knee ailment, but she doesn't let that notion mess with her morale.
"I don't think it adds a level of difficulty for me. I think it actually gives me some confidence, knowing that I've [bounced back from this kind of injury] before and with less time," she said, referencing the fact she competed at Pyeongchang 2018 four-odd months after ACL and MCL surgery. Despite a crash and a 17th-place result, she did win the time trial at that Olympic Games.
'Leave ski cross better than I found it'
Milano Cortina 2026 begins early next February and Thompson will try her very best to make it there—but it's never a guarantee. Canada boasts a deep ski-cross team, as evidenced by its fourth straight Nations Cup win this year, and several noteworthy talents will be vying for an Olympic team berth.
India Sherret just pulled off a career-best season with two victories and a level of consistency that had her leading the Crystal Globe race at various points. Courtney Hoffos returned from a major injury to win Nationals, grab silver at World Championships and find the World Cup podium six times. Hannah Schmidt notched three medals before going down injured.
On the men's side, all eyes will be on reigning and three-time Crystal Globe winner Reece Howden.
"Since before my time, [our team] just had that culture of excellence and pushing each other each and every day, and I think that's why we've had the history of success," remarked Thompson. "If I hadn't had Kelsey Rey to chase when I was first on the World Cup, I probably wouldn't be where I was today, and it's the same for the whole team.
"Now I kind of am the most experienced, which is quite special. I definitely try to be a leader on the team and share my experiences. It's cool to see the younger athletes stepping up and having success of their own."
Although she might be creeping up on the back nine of her career, Thompson remains hungry to perform. She feels this year's Crystal Globe slipped out of her hands, but is confident that—once healthy—she has a chance to win any given race. The journey towards excellence never ends, and ultimately Thompson hopes to "leave ski cross better than I found it."
