Snowboard Cross Crystal Globes to be decided in spicy Canadian finale

Mar 26, 2026·Snowboard Cross

Eliot Grondin (CAN), in red, leading the field in Mt-St-Anne last year © FIS/Miha Matavz

After a season in which the lead in the FIS Snowboard Cross World Cup races has changed several times, the deciders for the Crystal Globes take place in Mont-Sainte-Anne, Canada, this weekend.

One final race for both men and women will determine the 2026 winners of the trophies, and one mistake could cost the current leaders the ultimate win.

Racing starts on Friday 27 March with qualification runs, with the finals on Saturday 28 March, beginning at 12:00 local time (17:00 CET).

Ulbricht and Chollet in pole position

The men’s Crystal Globe will certainly be lifted by a new rider this year, after Canada’s Eliot Grondin topped the rankings in both 2024 and 2025. Grondin has reached at least the top 10 in all the races he has participated in this season, but his only podium finish was second on day 1 in Dongbeiya, China. After Canada withdrew from the two races in Erzurum, Türkiye, Grondin’s hopes of a three-peat were over.

Grondin is philosophical about the season, in which he did win silver at the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games.

“This has been an inconsistent season meaning that there were many World Cups cancelled, which meant more adaptation before the Games,” Grondin says.

“We can usually work on a build-up towards the biggest event on the world stage but because of the untimely cancellation of events, I have had to manage things differently. I am happy that I was able to perform the way I did at the Games, winning silver in Livigno.”

Although he missed Erzurum, Grondin says he wants to finish on a high on the Canadian slopes.

The positive is that I have been able to rest at home for some time so most of my training has been at the gym. I will use this week in Mont-Sainte-Anne to prepare for the World Cup this weekend.– Eliot Grondin (CAN)

Wearing a yellow bib reading 'Bataille Royale' and a grey beanie hat, Eliot Grondin stands on a podium holding a trophy shaped like a crystal globe

Eliot Grondin (CAN) with his Crystal Globe in 2025 © FIS/Miha Matavz

“Obviously, I am disappointed that we have had to cancel one event due to budget, but my aim is to perform at my best on Saturday,” Grondin says.

There are several contenders to succeed Grondin as the Crystal Globe holder. Germany’s Leon Ulbricht has been outstanding in the last three races: first and second in Erzurum, followed by another second place finish in Montafon, Austria, took the 21-year-old to the top of the World Cup rankings.

“I’m just planning to have a great time in Mont-Sainte-Anne. It’s going to be my third time there and it’s always been a great time there,” says Ulbricht.

I’m going to enjoy the last race of the season there and I have a good feeling. Leading in overall is for sure nice to do the last race but its definitely not done yet. I will give my best to continue the lead.– Leon Ulbricht (GER)

Snowboarder Leon Ulbricht raises his fists in the air in celebration after winning his race; two other snowboarders in French uniforms cross the line behind him

Leon Ulbricht celebrates his win in Erzurum © FIS/Mine Kasapoglu

However, Ulbricht’s lead is just a single point ahead of Aidan Chollet (FRA), who has reached four podiums this season – winning in Erzurum, coming second in Erzurum and in Cervinia, Italy, and third in Montafon.

Both Ulbricht and Chollet had a tougher time at the second and third World Cup races of the season, in Dongbeiya, where the French rider failed to make the semifinals on either day, and Ulbricht’s best finish was eighth on day one.

It's great to be a bit of an underdog going into this final race. Like any contender, we have to bring the trophy home.– Aidan Chollet (FRA)

Also still in the running for the Globe is Australia’s Adam Lambert. After two third places in the first two races, Lambert soared to the top of the standings with his maiden career win on day two in Dongbeiya. He remained the World Cup leader through the two races in Erzurum, despite missing the big final on both days, but slipped to third place with a disappointing 17th in Montafon.

Lambert now trails Chollet by 41 points and Ulbricht by 42 – close enough that the Australian is not out of the running.

Chollet’s brother Jonas, who has had a breakout season, is fourth, but with 83 points separating him and Ulbricht the youngster would need something special and big mistakes by the riders ahead of him to stand any chance of claiming a debut Globe.

Bankes, Casta and Baff all eyeing Crystal Globe

The women’s race is less tight at the top than the men’s, but the top five riders are closer together.

Charlotte Bankes (GBR) leads coming into Mont-Sainte-Anne, as she did in 2025, with 373 points overall thanks to two wins in Dongbeiya and Erzurum and two third places, in Dongbeiya and Montafon.

Charlotte Bankes (GBR) and Leon Ulbricht (GER) in the yellow leaders' jerseys on a purple podium in Montafon

Charlotte Bankes (GBR) and Leon Ulbricht (GER) in the leaders' jerseys in Montafon © FIS/Heiko Mandl

Last year, Bankes’ hopes of claiming her third Crystal Globe after 2022 and 2023 were ended in a training crash before the last World Cup races in Mont-Sainte-Anne, although she did finish second overall for a second year in a row.

“To be honest this season the goal was the Olympics and with my slow recovery from injury and question mark on the first race of season I thought the overall was going to be out of the question,” Bankes says.

“So this is a nice surprise to be in the fight."

I think this season we’ve all had up and down results and this means the fight is really tight going into the last race of the season. It’s going to be an intense fight until the end which to be honest I’m really excited to be part of.– Charlotte Bankes (GBR)

Coming to Canada in second place, as she did last season, is Lea Casta (FRA). Two first places in Mont-Sainte-Anne last year delivered the French athlete her first-ever Crystal Globe at the age of 19. This season she trails Bankes by only 13 points, with two wins from Cervinia and Erzurum and a second place in Erzurum. A third victory in Canada would deliver Casta her second overall win.

Lea Casta (FRA) kisses her Crystal Globe in 2025

As in the men’s race, an Australian is currently third. Josie Baff (AUS) has had an outstanding season with gold at the Olympic Winter Games the highlight. In the World Cup, her worst finish has been ninth in Erzurum, but two second places (Dongbeiya and Montafon) and a third place in Cervinia have kept her well in the running for the Crystal Globe too. Baff currently has 339 points, 21 behind Casta and 34 behind Bankes.

In turn, she is 24 points clear of Chloe Trespeuch (FRA). After returning to competition in March 2025, just three months after having her first child, Trespeuch has completed a full World Cup season, achieving four podium finishes and five big finals, and will certainly continue a strong record of overall results – including the 2024 Crystal Globe.