In early December, Val Thorens hosted the first two races of the season. Despite Saskja Lack taking second place in qualifying, no Swiss skier made it to the big final in the first race.
After being knocked out in the semi-finals the previous day, Fanny Smith bounced back in the second race. Taking third place on the podium, she salvaged Swiss pride, while Saskja Lack was her only compatriot to get beyond the quarter-finals. Valais skier Lucas Richard also scored his first World Cup points on the opening weekend of the season.
A stop in Graubünden
After a difficult start to the season, the Swiss team soon had an opportunity to bounce back on home snow. Just two days later, the Ski Cross World Cup made its first stop in Switzerland, in Arosa.
It was a nightmare weekend for the Swiss men. The best-placed Swiss skier, Martin Gil, finished a disappointing 25th after being eliminated in the round of 16. Alex Fiva could do no better than 28th.
In the women’s competition, Fanny Smith maintained her momentum with a second consecutive podium. Eliminated in the semi-finals, Sixtine Cousin and Talina Gantenbein finished 6th and 7th respectively to complete a strong team performance.
Three podiums in one day
For its third stop, the Ski Cross World Cup headed to Innichen in Italy. With four podium finishes, the Swiss team enjoyed outstanding success.
In the first race, Alex Fiva and Tobias Baur both made the podium, beaten only by Reece Howden. In the final, the Swiss skiers could do nothing against the World Cup leader’s masterful performance.
In the women’s race, Fanny Smith took an excellent second place. Beaten by France’s Marielle Berger Sabbatel, the Vaud skier was unable to capitalise on Sandra Naeslund’s first slip-up.
The next day, Alex Fiva came close to claiming his second podium of the season. The 38-year-old from Graubünden finished 4th and last in the big final. Fanny Smith, meanwhile, took another third place after being overtaken by Daniela Maier in the final metres.
Alex Fiva close to the top three
After five races, Alex Fiva sits in an excellent fourth place in the Ski Cross World Cup standings, just nine points off the podium. About to turn 40 (on 29 January), the 2022 Olympic silver medallist continues to defy expectations and compete with the best.
Another Swiss skier making an impression this season, Tobias Baur is 10th in the World Cup standings. Having made Graubünden his home, he is well placed to achieve the best season of his career after finishing 9th last year. The 2022 overall winner, Ryan Regez, has been less prominent this season. In 24th place, he nevertheless reached the small final in the most recent race.
Fanny Smith ready to pounce
In the women’s competition, Fanny Smith’s second place in the World Cup standings comes as no surprise. Last year’s Crystal Globe winner, the Vaud skier has been collecting podium finishes for more than fifteen years. Although she trails Sandra Naeslund by 155 points, the season is still long and could yet produce a few surprises.
Alongside her, Saskja Lack is also having a good season. The Zurich skier is in 6th place thanks to three semi-final appearances. Talina Gantenbein, meanwhile, is ranked 9th ahead of the Veysonnaz races.
