Berger Sabbatel ends Naeslund’s perfect run in Innichen

After three perfect performances this season, FIS Ski Cross World Cup leader Sandra Naeslund (SWE) found herself beaten in Innichen, thanks to a superb race from Marielle Berger Sabbatel (FRA).

Six years on from her first-ever World Cup victory, in Innichen in 2019, Berger Sabbatel claimed only her third with a superb overtake from the back of the field in the women’s big final. The French skier has had 32 podium finishes in her career, but only two previous wins.

“At the finish line it was a really great feeling, I was like ‘yes, I got it’. It was my goal this morning because I like this slope and I know I was able to ski fast, but sometimes it’s not enough to win a Ski Cross race,” Berger Sabbatel said.

Howden takes overall World Cup lead

In the men’s competition, Reece Howden (CAN) took the lead in the World Cup rankings with his second win of the season – and his 20th overall. The victory also means he is the first male athlete to win three World Cup races in Innichen.

“The speed is here, and I’m honestly just grateful for it. I’m going to try my best to take advantage of this flow state I’ve found in Innichen,” Howden said.

Howden was helped to the top of the standings after Simone Deromedis (ITA), the World Cup leader coming into Innichen, pulled up during the quarterfinals. However, the gap between the two skiers is just 10 points ahead of the second day of racing in Innichen on Sunday.

Howden said his performance was a message to his rivals that he was intending to keep the momentum going, after finding his form in Arosa following a slow start to the season in Val Thorens.

“I couldn’t really tell you exactly where it’s coming from, but all I’m going to say is that I’m really taking advantage of the speed that I’ve found on this track. Everything just seems to be working out in the turns, and the speed is really there,” Howden said.

“I know it’s kind of fleeting, it’s hard to maintain that, so now that I’ve got it I’m going to try my best to capitalize on it and just ski really start and keep myself in this mindset, and keep on ripping.”

Veteran Alex Fiva (SUI) took second place, his eighth Innichen podium in his long career. Fiva had to fight his way past Florian Wilmsmann (GER) in the semifinal, but was comfortably second in the big final – matching his result from 2024.

“I was really relieved, because I was cramping in my legs. It was a really really tough race. In the semifinal it was really hard, I thought I’m already out, so I’m really happy to be on the podium,” Fiva said, after bringing his young son with him for the medal presentation.

Fiva’s teammate Tobias Baur was third, for only his third-ever World Cup podium. He finished in the same position in Innichen in 2021, and in Bakuriani in February 2024.

Baur dedicated his medal to his mother, who was watching on, and to his teammate Alex Marro who is out with an injury.

Florian Wilmsmann (GER) won the small final to take fifth overall, with Youri Duplessis-Kergomard (FRA) sixth, Dominik Zuech (ITA) seventh, and Florian Fischer (GER) eighth.

Berger Sabbatel shines in big final

Berger Sabbatel had showed speed in qualification, finishing fourth with Naeslund first. The French athlete won her quarterfinal and was second to Naeslund in the semifinal.

In the big final it was Switzerland’s Fanny Smith who led out of the gates, chased by Daniela Maier (GER), who had won both races in Innichen last year. Naeslund, uncharacteristically, was in third place and despite several attempts could not force her way further up the field.

Berger Sabbatel looked to be out of the running before somehow finding her way past her three opponents in the third sector, and holding on for the win – her second podium finish of the year, after second on the second day in Val Thorens.

“It was such a good final, all four of us skied so well. There was a lot of emotions going from fourth to first,” said Berger Sabbatel afterwards.

“Tomorrow I’ll try to adjust the start a little bit. I think the others did a good start, mine wasn’t bad. Tomorrow it will be the same attack,” she said.

Defending Crystal Globe champion Smith finished second for her third podium and best result of the season so far, after two third places in Val Thorens and Arosa. Smith is second in the overall standings with 245 points, behind Naeslund with 360 and Berger Sabbatel with 232.

“It was a tough fight. I’m really happy, I’m really taking all the positives now race after race. I’m building my confidence step by step,” said Smith.

“I was really happy with my start, I finally found how normally I start, so that was good. Then I skied the best to keep the line, and we know how Marielle can do good turns and she was fourth, and we were fighting in the front and she just had the perfect line and made the full speed just before the final turns. She just passed us all with her great technique.”

Naeslund managed to take third ahead of Maier. Although the result means the Swede was not able to extend her extraordinary record of World Cup victories, she remains the most successful athlete in Innichen – now with 13 podium finishes on the Italian slope.

“I felt a little bit disappointed, but also really happy. I had a little bit of a mistake in the start, but the other girls skied really well and it was a good fight all the way down,” Naeslund said.

“I’m a bit tired right now but will try to recover and then come back tomorrow for another good race hopefully,” the World Cup leader added.

Isabelle Zippert (SUI) won the small final for a career-best finish of fifth, the first time the 24-year-old has made it into the top 10 at a World Cup. Teammate Saskja Lack was sixth, with Mylene Ballet Baz (FRA) seventh and Talina Gantenbein (SUI) eighth.

The final ski cross race of 2025 takes place in Innichen on Sunday 21 December.