Reece Howden has achieved a remarkable feat by becoming the most successful male ski cross racer in World Cup history after clinching his 19th career victory in Arosa, Switzerland. This victory propelled him past Jean-Frédéric Chapuis of France, breaking their tie for the most wins in World Cup history.
Hailing from Cultus Lake, B.C., Howden admitted feeling nervous during the competition, especially knowing he had the chance to secure the record. After his win, Howden expressed gratitude towards Chapuis for setting a high standard and acknowledged the opportunity to compete and surpass it.
In the race, the 27-year-old dominated both qualifying and the final, leading from start to finish. He attributed his success to his strategic approach in handling the start of the races in Arosa, focusing on his strengths and minimizing errors.
Austria’s Johannes Aujesky secured the silver medal, with Sweden’s David Mobaerg taking home the bronze. Meanwhile, Canada’s Jared Schmidt finished eighth overall, securing a fourth-place finish in the small final.
In the women’s event, Canadian Courtney Hoffos faced a challenging crash during the semifinals, requiring her to be removed from the course on a toboggan. Hoffos, who had won silver in the season opener in Val Thorens, France, did not participate in the small final.
Looking ahead, the next World Cup ski cross event is set to kick off in Innichen, Italy, this weekend. CBC Sports will provide live streaming coverage starting at 6 a.m. ET on Saturday and Sunday. Viewers can check the CBC Sports broadcast schedule for further details on how to tune in.