SX World Cup finals to go down in Veysonnaz
Mar 19, 2022·Ski Cross
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
On the men’s side, however, the point standings are very tight. We have three possible globe winners. The top three athletes are already sure; however, the ranking will be decided on the season’s very last race. But who are those three gentlemen?
Currently sitting in the lead is Olympic champion Ryan Regez from Switzerland with a total of 527 points, just on his tails with a total of 486 points, it is France’s Terence Tchiknavorian and in third, it is French veteran Bastien Midol with 445 points.
All three could theoretically take any spot of the top three ranking, depending on the outcome of the race. So, the fight for the SX crystal globe will be for sure one to watch, as it is going to be pure excitement to watch those three athletes give their all and everything.
Other awards to be handed out at the World Cup finals
As every year, also the female and male rookies of the year are going to be awarded at the season finals. There will be a vote among all team captains on the day before finals and the previously determined candidates with the most votes will be awarded “Rookie of the year” for their outstanding performances as newcomers on the World Cup circuit.
Also, the Nations Cup is going to be awarded at the season’s final award ceremony to the nation with the greatest number of points earned throughout the season. And that nation for the season 2021/22 is Canada.
Veysonnaz title defenders from March 2021: Sandra Naeslund (SWE) and Florian Wilmsmann (GER).
Last year’s SX Crystal Globe winners: Fanny Smith (SUI) and Reece Howden (CAN).
Since the best 16 women and best 32 men from the World Cup standings are the ones already qualified for the finals, we are heading straight into finals on March 19 at 14:30 CET.
Do not miss the final show of the year – it is going to be awesome!
WATCH LIVE (subject to change)
Saturday, March 19 at 14:30 CET:
ORF Sport+ (Austria), TV2 Sport 2 (Norway), SRF 2, RTS 2, RSI LA 2 (Switzerland), SVT 2 (Sweden)
Livestream: Peacock (USA), CBC Livestreaming (Canada), Eurosport Player (Europe)
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