Not one, but two Swedish maiden wins in Arosa

The anticipation was high, but the opening show to the first Audi FIS Ski Cross World Cup competition was beyond exciting, as we saw that with a new season, new faces made their way towards the finals.

The maybe biggest surprise of the night was the fact that Marielle Thompson (CAN), who won in Arosa last year, did not qualify for the finals, but did already get cut off in the final round of 32.

So, one would have thought that with last year’s ski cross crystal globe winner Sandra Naeslund (SWE) being absent due to a knee injury, and Thompson also not in the finals, the road was paved for Fanny Smith (SUI) to grab her fourth Arosa win of her career.

But her competitors made sure that this road was not too easy. Especially Sami Kennedy-Sim (AUS) showed an extraordinary performance after last night’s confidence boost by winning the qualifications. Advancing heat by heat, the Australian made it into the big final.

Kennedy-Sim was joined by home hero Fanny Smith, Alizee Baron (FRA), who made her comeback after an injury and fourth in the start gate was the “Swedish Viking Princess” as she calls herself, Alexandra Edebo (SWE), who already started showing last season that she has some big plans getting on the podium.

Edebo jumped out of the start gate and immediately got into first position and was just as quick as a rocket to lead that final heat. After the jump before the negative turn, Smith, who was in second position, managed to catch some speed and get really close to Edebo. Alizee Baron on the other hand, seemed to have lost control in the negative turn, causing her to drift below one of the gates, taking her out of the competition, which led the way for Kennedy-Sim to sit comfortably in third position, knowing that there was nobody behind her.

In the meantime, Smith caught so much speed during the take-off from the next jump that she would have definitely landed on Edebo, if she had not somehow managed to place her skis on the left and right side of the Swedish athlete’s skis managing to show a true balancing act and saving them both from crashing.

Consequently, Edebo took off and Smith’s speed was gone, therefore the “Swedish Viking Princess” managed to grab her maiden win at the very first competition of the season. That’s what we call a season opener!

“You know, I just had a feeling this morning when I woke up, I felt great and I thought to myself “fifth in the quali?! I can do better than that,” a happy Edebo said in the finish area
And better than that she did…

David Mobaerg makes it a Swedish podium party

On the men’s side of things it was a Swiss triple with Alex Fiva, Joos Berry and Jonas Lenherr joined by David Mobaerg in the big final.

While Lenherr had some troubles already at the start getting immediately behind the rest of the heat, it was not until after the first couple of elements that Mobaerg managed to get in first position with Fiva and Berry sitting behind. The two Swiss athletes got really head-to-head after the jump and into the negative, but in the following roller section it was Fiva, who got into second position and Berry in third.

It seemed that out of nowhere, Lenherr got really close to Berry and what we saw was almost the exact same situation with Lenherr getting on Berry’s tail and needing to make a smart move not to cause them both to crash.

Mobaerg crossed the finish line first and the Swedish duo Fiva and Berry made it to second and third respectively.

“I have no words. It was just a perfect day. I had a good start, I was fast everywhere and I had a really good feeling throughout the whole course and the entire competition, so I am super happy,” Mobaerg comments after the race.

In the end, it was a Swedish podium party with two maiden winners, which is always a very special moment to remember.

There will be another chance tomorrow, as the second of back-to-back night races will be held at Arosa. The Pre-Heat Qualification in heats of four starts at 17:15 CET, which you can follow on the Arosa data page or the FIS App, followed by finals at 18:45 CET, which you will be able to watch live.

WATCH LIVE

Wednesday, Dec 16 at 18:45 CET:

TV: Eurosport 2 (Europe), SLO 2 (Slovenia), SVT 24 (Sweden), SRF 2 (Switzerland), RTS 2 (Switzerland)

Live streaming: ORF (Austria), cbcsports.ca (Canada), Peacock (USA), sportschau.de (Germany)

QUICK LINKS

Arosas results Women
Arosa results Men
World Cup standings Women
World Cup standing Men
Arosa Photos (for editorial use only)
Full FIS Audi FIS Ski Cross World Cup calendar