Innichen's defending champions hoping to carry 'heat and fire' from Arosa

Innichen's two defending champions, Daniela Maier and Reece Howden, both spoke of their desire to take the momentum they earned in Arosa into the final races of 2025 in Innichen this weekend.

Maier held the lead in the women's Crystal Globe standings at the beginning of this year after doing the double in Innichen, though that title would ultimately be won by Fanny Smith. It was a different story for Howden, who was victorious on day two last season on his way to winning the battle for the men's Crystal Globe.

However, both struggled for results in the opening weekend of the new season in Val Thorens despite being strong in qualifying. Maier had qualified in the top three on both days, but came last in the Big Final on day one and then did not make it past the quarter-finals on day two.

Howden was also in the top three in qualifying on both days, but despite being the fastest on day one he found himself out in the first heat of the day, before going on to win the Small Final on day two.

Both would ultimately roar back into life in Arosa, where Howden won to become the most successful male athlete in ski cross World Cup history, while Maier raced well all night to claim second spot behind the seemingly peerless Sandra Naeslund.

For Maier the podium place put her capabilities on display in what will be a huge season for all skiers.

"It was really important to be back on the podium today. I feel really good and happy with it," she said on Tuesday.

"I showed in the qualifications that I'm really fast and that I have a good basic speed, but I couldn't show it in the heats. I did a lot of rookie mistakes, and I'm that long in ski cross I shouldn't be making rookie mistakes.

"Not I've shown what I could do, that's why it was so important for me.

"That woke me up and now I have the fire I need for the heats and I hope I can take it with me for the upcoming races.

"I love Innichen. I remember last year I had two victories there. I hope I can take it with me and I will show the total fire."

When Howden was asked what his victory meant for his approach going into Innichen, he said: "Same deal.

"I really like Innichen, I usually have some pretty good success there."

The Canadian will have his work cut out. While Maier won two races in Innichen last year alone, Howden's victories there last year and in 2022 make him tied at the top as the most successful male athlete on the slope: victory on Saturday would see the 27-year-old become the first man in history to win three races in Innichen.

In fact, in the Canadian camp alone they have three previous winners - Howden, Jared Schmidt (2023) and Kevin Drury (2019). It is not a slope that rewards longevity and loyalty. Unless you are Naeslund.

While two victories represents the best return for the men, the Swede has stood on top of an Innichen podium no fewer than seven times in her career.

"It's one of my favourite races, so I always really look forward to it," Naeslund said.

"It's the whole thing. I like the course, I used to do pretty good results there. We stay in a very nice hotel and the village is very nice and it's close to Christmas so you get a really good Christmas feeling.

"It's the whole feeling of being there."

And Naeslund has returned to form in time to make her trip to Innichen another memorable one.

Her injuries now appear to be a thing of the past as she has won each of the first three races of the season to comfortably lead the women's overall - albeit early in the season.

The 29-year-old had said she felt nervous coming into the season, but is not sure whether her victories will put a target on her back.

"I guess it's more pressure, but also less pressure," she said. "It's just been a perfect start to the season so I will just try to enjoy the Innichen race and then home to Christmas."

The men's overall is lead by Simone Deromedis, who won on day one in Val Thorens and came second on day two before winning the Small Final in Arosa. But Howden is breathing down his neck - and the Canadian is excited to see what heights he can reach over the next few months in trying to catch his rival.

"I'm just really turning the heat up for this season and I'd like to see what I'm capable of," he said.

Qualification for Innichen takes place on 19 December, with races on 20 and 21 December.