SAINT MORITZ, Switzerland – Marielle Thompson finished first Sunday at the FIS Ski Cross World Cup for her first victory of the season while fellow Canadian Hannah Schmidt was third.

Thompson, from Whistler, B.C., has 26 World Cup titles and reached the podium 62 times over her career.

“I’m super excited to be on top of the podium,” she said. “It’s been a tough season as I just haven’t had the results that I’m looking for even though my skiing has been there all year.

“This brings me some confidence and I’m stoked to come back here for world championships.”

Switzerland’s Fanny Smith was second while Schmidt, from Ottawa, made her third straight podium appearance. The overall points leader was coming off back-to-back wins last weekend in Nakiska, Alta.

In the men’s race, Reece Howden of Chilliwack, B.C., was the top Canadian in fourth place.

Italy’s Simone Deromedis won gold ahead of Switzerland’s Alex Fiva and Youri Duplessis Kergomard of France.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Jan. 28, 2024.