Canada’s Howden earns first World Cup podium of season with ski cross gold

AROSA — Canada’s Reece Howden set a World Cup record Tuesday with his 19th ski cross gold medal.

The Cultus Lake, B.C., native won the event ahead of Austria’s Johannes Aujesky, with Sweden’s David Mobaerg taking bronze.

The defending Crystal Globe champion earned his first podium of the season and the 31st of his career.

Howden’s victory puts him one ahead of previous record-holder Jean-Frédéric Chapuis of France.

“It was really hard and I knew that if I just accepted the feelings and focused on what I could control, hopefully it would work out and it did,” Howden said.

“Firstly I just want to say a huge shout out to Jean-Frédéric Chapuis. He set an amazing benchmark and I’m so grateful to have the opportunity to compete with him and take this mark and push it higher.”

Howden said he is built for the quick racing on Arosa’s short track.

“I think it’s just tailored to my genetics,” he said. “I really like the fight that the start has. It excites me. This is one of the reasons I love ski cross.”

Italy’s Simone Deromedis remains in first place in the overall standings after winning the small final ahead of Germany’s Cornel Renn, France’s Youri Duplessis Kergomard and Ottawa’s Jared Schmidt.

In the women’s race, Sweden’s Sandra Naeslund claimed gold, Germany’s Daniela Maier was second and Switzerland’s Fanny Smith placed third.

Courtney Hoffos of Invermere, B.C., finished eighth.

The World Cup tour continues this weekend in Innichen, Italy.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 16, 2025.