(The Blue Mountains) Reece Howden and Brady Leman sat side by side in the Craighleith Ski Center chalet on Friday, shedding their gear after the penultimate race of the season on the World Cup course.
The two teammates took a moment to relax.
Howden was still on cloud nine after winning gold at this stage of the Ski Cross World Cup and securing the crystal globe as the season’s champion. Leman, a 2018 Olympic gold medalist in the discipline, soaked up the atmosphere of his last competition before drawing a line on his career.
Two World Cup final champions they won’t soon forget.
“I won at home in Canada to secure the globe; it means a lot to me,” Howden said. I just wanted to get a good result and not let the suspense hang down to the last second. »
Howden from Cultus Lake, BC came out strong from the blocks and led most of the finals. He held off Germany’s Florian Wilmsmann to get his hands on the gold. Frenchman Youri Duplessis Kergomard completed the podium.
The win gave Holden an unassailable lead in the standings over Sweden’s David Mobärg, 16e Friday. It was Howden’s third win of the season and his seventh podium finish.
“He’s so talented,” said Leman, who finished eighth. It’s a force of nature. He’s huge and he has the perfect mentality for the race. »
In the women’s event, two Canadians joined champion Fanny Smith of Switzerland on the podium. Courtney Hoffos of Windermere, BC won the silver and Marielle Thompson of Whistler, BC won the bronze.
A few hundred supporters, most of them with Canadian flags, warmly cheered on the skiers.
“They bring a lot of energy and definitely help me get through a day like this,” said Hoffos.
Howden, who also won the Crystal Globe in 2021, said consistency, health and a bit of luck have been on his side this season as he also helped Canada win the Nations Cup.
“Reece is a hyper-focused athlete,” said Canadian coach Stan Hayer. He knew what he wanted this season. On the track, he doesn’t give in an inch. If he opens the machine like in the final, we can’t stop him. »
Swede Sandra Näslund had already secured women’s world ball this season with nine wins this season.
Leman announced earlier this week that he was leaving the league after 15 seasons with the national team. The Calgary skier was quickly knocked out in the small final, but he stayed close to the finish line to watch his teammate race. He was the first to hug Howden after his win.
” It is Cool to see him becoming more and more comfortable with the pressure, especially in the big finals,” Leman said. Skiing as he can, he can be as dominant as anyone. I get it.”
In addition to his gold medal in PyeongChang, Leman won silver at the 2019 World Championships and five career World Cup titles.
“It’s hard to be at the top for so long,” Hayer said. He shows dedication. »
Leman will retire on Saturday during the final races of the season.
“This is more than anything I could have hoped for,” Leman said. It was fantastic. Being able to finish this in Canada in front of family and friends is just perfect.
“It will be a very emotional day (Saturday). I hope not to cry on the podium. »
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