Smith and Duplessis-Kergomard prevent Schmidt double in Craigleith

The Schmidt siblings fell just short of a Canadian double as Fanny Smith (SUI) and Youri Duplessis-Kergomard (FRA) came from behind to win in Craigleith on a dramatic day of World Cup racing on Saturday.

Hannah Schmidt (CAN) led the women’s big final through Intermediate 1 and 2, but Smith found an inside line to overtake the home favorite, crossing the finish line 0.25 seconds ahead.

Jole Galli (ITA) took third a further 0.47 seconds adrift, with most of the podium resembling the first race here in 2025, when Smith and Galli also finished one-three. Saskja Lack (SUI) was fourth.

Smith has now won four of five races in Craigleith, having won both races in 2025 as well as the opening race in 2023.

The victory extended her run of seasons with at least one World Cup victory. She has World Cup wins in 11 different seasons — equaling the record of Ophelie David (FRA).

The big final was the first race that Smith won on Saturday, after coming in second in her quarter-final and semi-final.

“My goal (this season) was really the Olympic Games, to get a podium, a win this winter for me, it’s amazing,” said Smith, who took silver at the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games.

Schmidt almost had a third World Cup victory on home snow, having won back-to-back races in Nakiska in 2024.

She said: “It’s awesome to be back on the podium at home, and have family and friends in the crowd, it was insane. I think i thrive in that environment, hearing them at the start, just gets me fired up, it’s so good.” 

Fourth to first for Duplessis-Kergomard

Hannah Schmidt was denied her first World Cup win of the season, and younger brother Jared Schmidt (CAN) soon found himself in the same position. The 28-year-old was pipped to the finish line by Duplessis-Kergomard, who won by 0.05 seconds.

David Mobaerg (SWE) claimed third over Oliver Davies (GBR) in a photo finish.

Jared was in front after Intermediate 1 and 2, but top qualifier Duplessis-Kergomard, fourth early in the race, rode on the speed off the Dragon’s Back to take his third win of the season.

Olympic silver medalist Federico Tomasoni (ITA) won the small final ahead of Ryan Regez (SUI), Terence Tchiknavorian (FRA) and Alexis Jay (FRA).

Daniela Maier (GER) won the women’s small final, with Mylene Ballet Baz (FRA) the only other competitor to cross the finish line as Isabelle Zippert (SUI) and Katrin Ofner (AUT) did not finish.

Crystal Globe outlook

Maier, second in the World Cup standings, made up 45 points on leader Sandra Naeslund (SWE) with her fifth-place finish. Naeslund did not finish in Thursday’s qualification and qualified second on Friday. She needed to win both races this weekend to lift her fifth Crystal Globe here but the battle will extend to the season finale in Gallivare.

Reece Howden (CAN) could yet seal his fourth Crystal Globe on home snow with a win on Sunday. In the men’s second quarter-final, Howden and Kristofor Mahler (CAN) both lost their outside ski entering Turn 2. Mahler started ski racing as a child at Craigleith Ski Club and will be joining Howden and Jared in looking to provide the home fans more cheer tomorrow.

Jared said: “I’ve been really close all year, just always knocking on the door, and finally today I put my head down and made it into the big final. Leading all the way down, I knew Youri was going to be there, made one mistake at the bottom. But for the Schmidts, it’s pretty great.”

The FIS Ski Cross World Cup continues with a second day of racing in Craigleith, Canada on 22 March 2026, followed by two races in Gallivare, Sweden from 28-29 March 2026.