Naeslund completes Gallivare double to cap record-breaking season

Sandra Naeslund (SWE) ended the FIS Ski Cross World Cup season as she started it — by winning back-to-back races at the same venue.

The five-time Crystal Globe champion won the women’s big final in Gallivare ahead of Marielle Berger Sabbatel (FRA), Daniela Maier (GER) and Fanny Smith (SUI) on Sunday to reach an unprecedented 50 World Cup victories.

She finished top of the overall standings with 1,268 points, breaking the record for the most World Cup points in a single season by an athlete of any gender. She rewrote her own mark set when she amassed 1,150 points in the 2012/22 season.

"I just can't describe this. It's just been an unbelievable season, and to finish it like this, in Sweden, double win... the support from the side was just amazing.

"You've seen this season, Dani, she's on fire. I don't think she will slow down next season. It's just keep on doing the work, have fun skiing, try to get better every day and try to look for a new best next season."

Naeslund also won two straight races at the season-opening Val Thorens stop, before achieving the double in Kopaonik.

In total, she won 11 World Cup races this season, matching her achievement from the 2021/22 season.

Berger Sabbatel crossed the finish line 0.16 seconds behind Naeslund to secure her 37th podium finish on her swansong.

"Until the last race, I try to catch a win and it was a good race today, and final of my career," said Berger Sabbatel, who made her World Cup debut in 2011. "Happy to finish with a good race like this.

The 36-year-old was among a quartet including Romain Detraz (SUI), Jonas Lenherr (SUI), and Yanick Gunsch (ITA) that decided to retire at the end of the season.

Berger Sabbatel finished third in the overall standings, with Smith fourth as all four big finalists locked the top-four spots.

Isabelle Zippert (SUI) won the small final to equal her best result of fifth at Innichen in 2025.

Hannah Schmidt (CAN) was collateral damage from a crash involving Jole Galli (ITA) and Saskja Lack (SUI) at the first turn. Zippert enjoyed a solo run down before Schmidt joined her after getting back on her feet and finishing the race for sixth.

Deromedis pips Howden in photo finish

In the men’s big final, Simone Deromedis (ITA) won a photo finish by the finger as Crystal Globe champion Reece Howden (CAN) settled for second.

Kilian Himmelsbach (GER) took out Edoardo Zorzi (ITA) early in the race when he skied over the top of Zorzi’s skis.

Deromedis led for most of the race. Howden overtook him at the last turn, only for the Olympic champion to inch back in front.

Zorzi was third, his second World Cup podium after his second-place finish in Val Thorens in 2025.

With the victory, Deromedis matched his personal best of three wins in a single season, which he also achieved in the 2024/25 season.

He finished second in the overall standings on 750 points, 311 points behind Howden. Howden’s 1,061 total is the most World Cup points in a single season by a male athlete.

"I've been working really hard for this moment," said the Canadian. "So happy how this year worked out. The highest of highs and the lowest of lows this year, but really impressed with how I was able to come back from those lows. The consistency is unreal. Really excited about finishing off this season so strong and healthy. It's been unreal."

Jared Schmidt (CAN) won the small final ahead of Dominik Zuech (ITA), Satoshi Furuno (JPN), and Erik Mobaerg (SWE).