Courtney Hoffos kicked off the World Cup ski cross season with a strong performance, securing a silver medal in Val Thorens, France. The skier from Windermere, B.C., finished second in the big final. Swedish athlete Sandra Naeslund claimed the gold medal, marking her 40th career victory on the World Cup circuit after returning from a season mostly missed due to injury. Mylene Ballet Baz from France completed the podium with a bronze medal.
In the women’s competition, Canada’s Britt Phelan finished sixth overall after coming in second in the small final. On the men’s side, Italy dominated with Simone Deromedis and Edoardo Zorzi clinching gold and silver, respectively. French skier Youri Duplessis-Kergomard secured the bronze. Despite a strong start, the top Canadian men’s ski cross contender, Kevin Drury, did not finish in his quarterfinal heat.