After winning an Olympic gold medal in Sochi, you’d think that Marielle Thompson would kick off her ski boots, head somewhere tropical and welcome some well-earned time away from competition to simply enjoy her success.

But the 21-year-old from Whistler still felt that she had some unfinished business – winning the 2014 Crystal Globe as the World Cup Overall Champion.

Her instincts were right.

She entered the final weekend of the season in La Plagne, France leading Switzerland’s Fanny Smith by just ten points.

In what’s been called the most thrilling finish to a season in ski cross history, the two lined up against each other in the final.

Winner take all.

Out of the start gate it looked like Marielle might have the edge, but Fanny made an aggressive pass going into the first turn to solidify the holeshot.

Over the next minute, Marielle slowly reeled her in and on the final turn, she slipped past Fanny to take her second Crystal Globe in three years.

As undoubtedly the best women’s ski cross athlete in the world, Marielle maintains a simple mantra as she looks to Beijing 2022 and the opportunity to reclaim the Olympic title:

I like to go fast.

In 2016-17, Big Air Mar put together a season for the ages winning seven World Cups including the event on home-snow in Blue Mountain, Ontario where she also wrapped up her third career Crystal Globe.

In 2019, she added her first World Championship title to her impressive and growing resume that now includes a win at every major event.

And in the midst of a global pandemic in the 2020-21 season she managed podium performances in five consecutive World Cups to gaurantee her an early qualification for the Olympic Games.

Bring on Beijing 2022.