Olympic champions Maier, Deromedis continue Crystal Globe chase in Kopaonik

Days after winning Olympic gold, Daniela Maier (GER) and Simone Deromedis (ITA) are back on skis in Kopaonik as they continue their chase for a first Crystal Globe.

Both Milano Cortina 2026 champions won the second race of the Val di Fassa weekend on 31 January to head into the Games in the best form possible and will seek to maintain their winning streak in Serbia.

Maier is attempting to emulate Sandra Naeslund (SWE) by winning the first World Cup race after becoming an Olympic gold medalist. Naeslund accomplished that in 2022, following up her Beijing 2022 triumph with a win in Reiteralm. Likewise, Deromedis would join Michael Schmid (SUI) as the only male Ski Cross athletes to win the first World Cup race after becoming an Olympic champion. Schmid’s feat was done in 2010, when he followed up his Vancouver 2010 victory by winning the opening race at Branas.

Maier and Deromedis are second in the Women’s and Men’s World Cup standings behind Naeslund and Reece Howden (CAN) respectively. They closed the gap on their rivals in Val di Fassa — Maier is just 54 points behind the four-time Crystal Globe winner, the slimmest margin between them this season; Deromedis is now 133 points behind Howden, who has three Crystal Globes.

For Deromedis, winning Olympic gold on home snow proved to him that he can deliver under pressure, and he wants to display his consistency going forward.

“For sure, it is a big motivation,” he said of the impact the Games will have on his Crystal Globe ambitions. “So now I'm on a good way, then we'll try to make finals every day.”

Ski Cross World Cup makes Serbia debut

The upcoming finals will be historic. Serbia is hosting a Ski Cross World Cup for the first time, with Kopaonik becoming the 56th host city in Ski Cross World Cup history and the first new venue to join the tour since Gudauri, Georgia in February 2025.

Fanny Smith (SUI), who has competed in more World Cup races (171) than any other female athlete not named Katrin Ofner (AUT), is relishing the prospect of competing in another country on the back of showcasing Ski Cross on the Olympic stage.

The three-time Olympic medalist, having taken Milano Cortina 2026 silver, said: “I love it. I'm always a big fan to have new places, and also, (Serbia’s) a bit maybe more exotic.

Fellow veteran and compatriot Alex Fiva (SUI) agreed that it is crucial for the sport to be promoted in different countries.

The 40-year-old, the oldest Olympic medalist in Ski Cross history following his Milano Cortina 2026 bronze, said: “I think it's really important. And I love new places, especially for our Ski Cross. It's a brand new field, and nobody has experience on it, so I really enjoy to be here in Serbia. The course looks good. They built a lot. It's still flat, but there are a lot of elements.”

The Kopaonik World Cup races take place on Friday 27 and Saturday 28 February.