Thompson wins second in a row, Mobaerg picks up first in Bakuriani

On a warm day with soft snow and a depleted field, Marielle Thompson (CAN) shook off the conditions and left the field in her wake for her second straight victory on the FIS Ski Cross World Cup tour. On the men’s side David Mobaerg (SWE) beat out his brother and the field for his first win of the season.

For Thompson it is her second win in a row and third of the season. She now has 28 career World Cup wins. That is third-most wins of any female ski cross racer in World Cup history. The win is also the sixth straight for the Canadian women on tour.

Thompson used a strong final run to blow past the competition. On a day where many struggled, she kept her top form.

“The final, I think I nailed everything better than previous rounds. The other round was a little rough. I don’t think I could have done that much better. That is a really good way to end the day,” Thompson said.

Thompson had one big key to keep her going on the unusually warm day: snacks.

“All the snacks, all the hydration. It is really beautiful here but a little hot, so you lose your energy fast,” Thompson said.

The Olympic champion is fueling up right as she takes the lead in the overall standings and moves closer to her fourth career crystal globe.

“It is a bonus to be back as the overall leader, I think it has been more than a year for me, so that is very special,” Thompson said.

Behind Thompson the podium was the same as the previous race in Alleghe. Thompson’s compatriot Brittany Phelan (CAN) took second once again.

It is the fourth podium for Phelan this season. She now has 16 World Cup podiums to her name and stays in fourth in the overall season standings.

“I have been feeling pretty good on my skis, getting into the final and on the podium, it feels like it is all coming together. It is cool to see my hard work paying off,” Phelan said.

Marielle Berger Sabbatel (FRA) kept up her strong season by rounding out the podium for the second straight season. She moves up to second place in the overall standings, taking advantage of some big names missing out on Saturday’s race.

Sabbatel has made ten of eleven big finals this season. She is still awaiting her first win of the season as she racks up points. It is her seventh podium of the season and 22nd of her career.

“It is one more big final. I am very happy to finish on the podium, it was a tight race,” Sabbatel said. “For tomorrow the plan is to start first and finish first. It’s the best plan, no?”

Talina Gantenbein (SUI) and India Sherret (CAN) continued their solid seasons by finishing fourth and fifth respectively.

The race was also notable for the names who were absent. Hannah Schmidt (CAN) lost her lead in the overall standings. Schmidt injured her ankle in qualifying and did not start. It is a big blow as she was having the best season of her career with three victories. Early reports say she avoided serious injury and could be back before the end of the season.

Fanny Smith (SUI) was also out after injuring her hand in the previous race in Alleghe. She dropped to sixth in the standings. Sandra Naeslund (SWE) also fell a spot as she continues to rest an injured knee.

David Mobaerg races his way to first win of the season

The men’s side also suffered from some of the top contenders missing out, while others were eliminated early. David Mobaerg (SWE) did not care.

The Swede beat out the field, including his brother Erik, to top the podium in Bakuriani. It is his first win and third podium of the season. He now matches his brother’s win from last week.

“It is always fun to be both on the podium. I am sorry for Erik but we push each other and it is always good to ski with my brother,” Mobaerg said.

It was not an easy race for Mobaerg. He held off the chasing contenders the entire way down in the big final.

“I was super nervous. I saw in the other heat that there was lots of passing down there at the end, so I got scared. But I managed to keep the speed through the whole course and stay cool. I am super happy to get this victory,” Mobaerg said.

The win gives him eight career World Cup victories and 12 podiums.

“It means a lot. I have been struggling a little this season and now I made it through all the heats. It feels so good to put down good skiing and win here,” Mobaerg said.

Florian Wilmsmann (GER) came up just short of the win for second. It is his fourth podium of the season. He moves up to third in the overall standings.

“It is pretty amazing. I really like the course. I have some good memories here, so it is really nice to continue those good feelings,” Wilmsmann said.

Alex Fiva (SUI) completed the podium. It is the fourth of the season for the 38-year-old.

“I am relieved that I am finally on the podium again after my yellow card last time, which I still think it was a wrong decision but that is their decision. It was a good race today, really tough race, really long with a lot of elements but it was fun skiing with those boys in the final,” Fiva said.

Erik Mobaerg (SWE) finished fourth in the big final. Reece Howden (CAN) was eliminated early in the round of 32. He holds on to a slight lead in the overall standings. His teammate Jared Schmidt (CAN) was dropped in the quarterfinals. He hangs on to fourth in the overall standings.

The men’s race on Sunday will feature a lighter field as many of the top contenders failed to qualify for the final due to tough conditions in the qualifying session on Friday. However, the racers on both sides will come back to the same course in Bakuriani to do it all again on Sunday. The races begin at 11am local (8am CET).