A spectacular show against a breathtaking backdrop is guaranteed in Innichen. © Gregor Sieder

The Ski Cross World Cup in Innichen has its first winners

France's Marielle Berger Sabbatel and Canada's Reece Howden won the first competition of the 16th FIS Skicross World Cup 3 Zinnen Dolomites in Innichen on Saturday. They will follow up with another race on Sunday.

20 December 2025

From: pm

On a beautiful sunny Saturday, Marielle Berger Sabbatel secured her second victory in Innichen, having already achieved first place in 2019, although the finals were not held at that time and the qualification was used as the final ranking.

In the thrilling final of the first women's race of the 16th FIS Ski Cross World Cup 3 Zinnen Dolomites, the 35-year-old Frenchwoman trailed for much of the race, but then overtook all three competitors and crossed the finish line first. "The race was fantastic. It's wonderful to end the day with a victory, I'm very happy about it," commented the French ski cross racer, who prevailed in the final against Switzerland's Fanny Smith, Sweden's Sandra Näslund, and Germany's Daniela Maier.

Howden crowns himself the new record holder

Berger Sabbatel qualified for the final with the second-fastest time behind Näslund, beating her compatriot Mylen Ballet Baz and the Swiss skier Talina Gantenbein. Ballet Baz and Gantenbein then competed in the bronze medal race against the Swiss pair Isabelle Zippert and Saskja Lack. Zippert was the fastest in this challenge, which determined fifth through eighth place. The only Italian athlete to reach the women's finals, Jole Galli, was eliminated in the quarterfinals, finishing in 15th place. She has a chance to redeem herself in tomorrow's second race.

Reece Howden secured his third victory in Innichen, his twentieth overall in the World Cup – two milestones never before achieved by a man. In the final of the first men's race of the 16th FIS Ski Cross World Cup 3 Zinnen Dolomites, the 27-year-old Canadian quickly picked up speed, while behind him a thrilling battle unfolded between his compatriot Jared Schmidt and the Swiss skiers Alex Fiva and Tobias Baur. Howden maintained his lead and took first place, followed by Fiva and Baur.

Zuech in the top ten

“Today’s race was great. I’m really happy. I tried to maintain the rhythm I found in qualifying. Today is a great day for Canada! Jared (Schmidt) was also in the final, and that was fantastic. Congratulations also to Drury and Rowell, who finished in the top 16 again. That’s great,” Howden explained. In the small final, Germany’s Florian Wilmsmann (5th) was the fastest, followed by France’s Youri Duplessis-Kergomard (6th), South Tyrol’s Dominik Zuech (Lana/7th), and Germany’s Florian Fischer (8th). Simone Deromedis was eliminated in the quarterfinals (15th), while Federico Tomasoni (24th) and Davide Cazzaniga (28th) did not make it past the round of 16.

The 16th FIS Ski Cross World Cup 3 Zinnen Dolomites continues on Sunday with the finals of race two, which concludes the event in Innichen. The race starts at 12 noon and will be broadcast live worldwide on television and via live stream. It can be watched live on Rai Sport, SRF zwei, ORF Sport+, and Eurosport 2, and via live stream on Eurosport, RTS.ch, and SRF.ch, as announced by Hanna Erharter, Director of the Innichen Tourist Office.

Results Finals Race 1:

Top 8 women:
1. Marielle Berger Sabbatel (FRA)
2. Fanny Smith (SUI)
3. Sandra Näslund (SWE)
4. Daniela Maier (GER)
5. Isabelle Zippert (SUI)
6. Saskja Lack (SUI)
7. Mylene Ballet Baz (FRA)
8. Talina Gantenbein (SUI)

Top 8 men:
1. Reece Howden (CAN)
2. Alex Fiva (SUI)
3. Tobias Baur (SUI)
4. Jared Schmidt (CAN)
5. Florian Wilmsmann (GER)
6. Youri Duplessis-Kergomard (WOMAN)
7. Dominik Zuech (ITA)
8. Florian Fischer (GER)