We have reached the final stop of the Audi FIS Ski Cross World Cup season 2021/22, which once again will be taking place in Switzerland’s Veysonnaz. It has been an intense season with so far 11 individual competitions and one team event, but looking back on it, the ski cross family can really be happy about it.
Let’s take a look on all the highlights that occurred this season:
– For the first time ever, the Audi FIS Ski Cross World Cup made a stop in China, with its test event for the Olympic Winter Games.
– we had the first-ever night-time mixed-team event in Arosa under the floodlights. The winner was team Sweden with David Mobaerg and Sandra Naeslund.
– The 24. Olympic Winter Games were held in Beijing from February 4-20, 2022 and were a big success. The new Olympic Champions in ski cross are Sandra Naeslund (SWE) and Ryan Regez (SUI).
– Sandra Naeslund is by far the most dominant ski cross athlete this season: She won 10 out of 11 World Cups this season, she also won the only mixed-team event with teammate David Mobaerg. Naeslund won the Olympic gold medal and she now has 27 World Cup victories to her name, which is only 2 less than Fanny Smith’s all-time record of 29 World Cup wins. Although Naeslund will not be able to break that record this year anymore, she is getting really close to go for a new record, should she stay in that incredible shape next season.
Naeslund takes home third SX crystal globe
With 1.050 points in the World Cup ranking and a 469-point margin ahead of runner-up Fanny Smith (SUI), the third career crystal globe will be safely in Sandra Naeslund’s hands at the end of the victory ceremony here in Veysonnaz. No wonder, with this dominance and incredible performances this year, this is very well deserved.
In general, on the women’s side, the battle is done for first and second place with Smith taking second rank. The only open question is, who will walk home with the third rank? It is going to be a fight between Canadian teammates Marielle Thompson and Brittany Phelan, who both had very strong comeback-seasons from knee injuries. While Thompson has 469 points, Phelan has currently 408 points and is ranked in fourth. That is a 61-point margin for Thompson, which leads to the following math calculation: In case Phelan wins Saturday’s race, Marielle Thompson will need 40 points, which would be the fifth place.
In case Brittany Phelan will not walk away with a win or second place on Saturday, the second rank is secured for Thompson. So, let’s wait and see what the battle will bring.
Three possible globe winners on the men’s side
