Naeslund and Rohrweck with the first wins of the SX World Cup season in Val Thorens

After two days of qualifications with amazing weather up here at 2.300m in beautiful Val Thorens (FRA), it was finally time to get into the gates four-way and battle down the fast, challenging and well-prepared Jean-Frederic Chapuis Ski Cross course.

For today’s race, and so first of two races here in Val Thorens, it was Sandra Naeslund and Brady Leman who won the qualification on Tuesday and so went into the race with Bib number one.

Naeslund winning the tight battle on women’s side

After winning every single heat, Naeslund went into the start gate for today’s big final as favorite. But this time it was a bit more challenging for her to also win the big final against her strong competitors, Fanny Smith (SUI), Marielle Thompson (CAN) and Talina Gantenbein (SUI).

It was no one else than Beijing 2022 Olympic silver medalist Marielle Thompson who pulled out of the start gate fastest and went straight into the lead. Followed by Smith in second and Neaslund in third. Right after the first jump, Naeslund and Smith were going into the roller section skies by skies, and shortly after, Naeslund managed to overtake Smith and got in second position. After the first challenging negative turn, there was a change in positions. It was Naeslund and Gantenbein who managed to ski the negative turn best and so Naeslund took over the pole position, followed by Thompson and Gantenbein and Smith in fourth position. From now on the positions were clear and so Naeslund crossed the finish line first, followed by Thomspon in second and Gantenbein in third place.

By winning her 29th World Cup race, Naeslund now tied the world record with Fanny Smith of winning the most World Cups of all time in Ski Cross history among men and women.