NAKISKA, ALTA. (April 2, 2012) – The first Canadian to win an individual ski cross Crystal Globe as overall World Cup champion is hoping to end her incredible year the same way it started – by winning the women’s title at the national championships.
Marielle Thompson, of Whistler, B.C., arrives in Nakiska, Alta., this week as the red-hot favourite to defend her title at the 2012 Sport Chek Ski Cross Canadian Championships. It’s just one example of how much has changed for the 19-year-old rising star, who went into last year’s race hoping to secure the first major victory of her career.
“I’m definitely going to go for it. I will be trying to get my title again,” said Thompson, who pulled off a brilliant pass to edge ahead of teammate and world champion Kelsey Serwa in last year’s women’s final in Lake Louise, Alta. “I hope there’s lots of young girls out there racing.
“Last year built my confidence up like crazy. It really started everything for me.”
Thompson went into the 2011-12 World Cup season on a high and didn’t waste any time showing what she could do, claiming the first podium of her career with a third-place finish in the season-opener at Innichen/San Candido, Italy, on Dec. 17. She went on to finish second in Alpe d’Huez, France, on Jan. 11, before making another breakthrough in Blue Mountain, Ont., on Feb. 3, when she won her first World Cup race. Another victory in Branas, Sweden, on March 3 gave Thompson the red bib as the overall World Cup points leader.
Following the tragic passing of Thompson’s friend and teammate, Nik Zoricic, the final races of the season in Grindelwald, Switzerland, were cancelled. Points were awarded based on qualification results and it was later confirmed Thompson had become the first Canadian to win an individual ski cross World Cup title. It wasn’t a time to reflect on awards and individual achievement, but some time later, after returning to Whistler, Thompson started to understand the significance of her accomplishment.
“People keep talking to me about it and congratulating me – it’s nice,” Thompson said. “It’s not really sunk in how big of a deal it is.”