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The World Cup ski cross season kicked off with a bang as Canadians Christoper Del Bosco and Brady Leman finished first and second respectively and Marielle Thompson finished first, continuing her dominance on the circuit with her fifth consecutive World Cup victory.
Leman, who qualified first and looked the strongest throughout the day, won every heat until he met Del Bosco in the final. The big final featured the two Canadians, reigning World Cup and Olympic Champion Jean Frederic Chapuis (FRA) and current World Champion Filip Flisar (SLO). Del Bosco and Leman dominated the final race with Del Bosco barely holding off Leman at the finish.
This was Del Bosco’s 20th career podium and first win in two years. “I was feeling really great all week and had some close calls in the earlier rounds,” said Del Bosco about heading into the final. “I knew it would be a battle when I met Brady in the final but I managed to get a great start out of the gate. I knew Brady would be coming on strong through the course but I just kept my head down and got him by a little bit.”
Brady Leman who was overjoyed with the one-two finish said, “I’m super happy with the day! I’ve been skiing really well and had lots of confidence going into the final. Del [Bosco] just rocketed out of the start and I almost caught him in one section but I’m super happy with the one-two finish. It’s a great way to go into the season.”
Thompson dominated every heat going into the final. She battled Sochi bronze-medalist Anna Holmlund in the big final and made a strong pass near the finish to secure her 18th World Cup podium. This was Thompson’s first World Cup race since injuring her knee at the 2015 World Championships, proving her focused recovery period was just what she needed to regain her winning form.
“It’s such a good feeling to start the season off with a bang like this and know I’m in a good place coming back from injury,” said Thompson of her victory. “To have the lead again is exciting and to share it with Brady and Chris is a great start for Canada!”
The men’s and ladies’ team head to Val Thorens next week’s FIS World Cup races where Marielle Thompson is the defending champion.
Canadian Women
1 – Marielle Thompson
22 – Kelsey Serwa
Canadian Men
1 – Chris Del Bosco
2 – Brady Leman
17 – Louis-Pierre Hélie
20 – Dave Duncan
23 – Mathieu Leduc
39 – Ian Deans
41 – Kevin Drury
43 – Kris Mahler
