Olympic champion Simone Deromedis was the best Italian in the qualifying round in Serbia. © ANSA / JEAN-CHRISTOPHE BOTT

Premiere in Serbia: Ski cross racers start with qualifying rounds

A Ski World Cup in Serbia? Yes, you heard right. The ski cross racers are making their first-ever appearance in the Balkan country this week. The qualifying rounds took place in Kopaonik on Wednesday.

February 25, 2026

From: cst

Following their great success at the Olympic Games, where the Italians won two medals, the World Cup continues in Kopaonik. Qualifying took place on Wednesday.

The fastest was Reece Howden from Canada, who had to concede defeat to the Italians at the Olympics. David Moabärg (SWE) and Kevin Drury (CAN) were hot on Howden's heels. The best Italian in Wednesday's qualifying was Simone Deromedis in 5th place (+0,50 seconds).

Tomasoni and Gunsch on the ropes

Olympic silver medalist Federico Tomasoni, like Yanick Gunsch, needed a bit of luck to qualify for the final. Tomasoni made it into the final of the top 32 skiers by two hundredths of a second, finishing 31st. Gunsch also qualified, finishing 32nd, just one hundredth of a second behind. Edoardo Zorzi (14th) also made it through the qualifying round. Dominik Zuech from Lana will not be competing. He finished 40th, 1,81 seconds behind Howden, and did not qualify.

Another qualifying round will take place in Serbia on Thursday, with the race days scheduled for Friday and Saturday.