Ski cross | Hannah Schmidt returns to the podium in Arosa

Hannah Schmidt scored the first victory of her ski cross career at the Arosa World Cup last season. On her return to Switzerland, the Quebecer shone again and won a bronze medal.

Last week, the Quebecer spoke about the depth of the Canadian ski cross team and raised the strong possibility of seeing three of its members reach the same podium this season. That’s what happened Tuesday thanks to Marielle Thompson, India Sherret and Hannah Schmidt.

Schmidt had the second best start in the final, on a track with a modified course since last year with the removal of an important turn. She was then caught by Sherret. Frenchwoman Marielle Berger Sabbatel came very close to overtaking her before losing speed on a landing, which allowed Schmidt to hang on.

“All mistakes, even the smallest ones, can be very costly here. It’s a question of timing and it was very tight, but the course is so short that you absolutely have to concentrate on yourself and avoid distractions,” she told Sportcom.

Marielle Thompson raced towards her second victory of the season, while behind, Hannah Schmidt and India Sherret each extended an arm to decide for second place. It was ultimately Sherret who had the upper hand.

“It’s great to share the podium with India and Marielle! As I said, the team is very strong! We can all finish at the top of the podium and today, it’s Marielle. I’m super happy and it’s always special when Canada sweeps the podium,” underlined Schmidt, who had set the fourth fastest time in qualifying the day before.

His departures allowed him to progress in the elimination table. Once in the semi-finals, the 30-year-old skier was the fastest in her wave marked by the fall of Saskja Lack and Fanny Smith, both from Switzerland. Lack finally left the slope with medical personnel and did not ski the small final.

Hannah Schmidt now has seven World Cup podiums. She had obtained fifth and eighth places in Val Thorens to launch the current campaign.

“I had a lot of expectations after my victory last year, but I tried not to think about it and stay in the moment. I proved that I had my place in the final, my skiing is coming back and so is my confidence. It’s been getting better and better since I came back from my injury,” added the bronze medalist, who missed a good part of last season due to fractures in her right ankle and foot.

Shortly after the women’s final, her brother Jared raced for a medal on the men’s side. The one who also emerged victorious from the Arosa stage last year took fourth place this time. Canadian Reece Howden won gold, followed by Italian Simone Deromedis and Swede David Mobaerg.

For his part, Zachary Reynolds, of Lac-Sainte-Marie, was eliminated in the first elimination round on Tuesday and is ranked 44^e rang.

The ski cross specialists will be back in action on Thursday at the World Cup in Innichen, Italy.