After winning an Olympic medal in Sochi, you'd think 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 has 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 beside 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 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 Pyeongchang 2018 and the opportunity to defend her 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.

While an injury just prior to Pyeongchang 2018 stopped her from having an opportunity to defend her Olympic title, her winning ways continued in the 2019-2020 season with three more World Cup wins and six podium finishes.

In a Covid-shortened 2020-2021 season, she added six more podiums to impresssive career totals.

In Beijing 2022, Marielle looked to regain her place on the podium. She breezed into the super final setting up a duel against a familiar foe: Fanny Smith.

After a slow start, Marielle lagged behind the pack in fourth place with a medal almost completley out of reach.

Then, in the final 100-metres she made two of the most agressive passes to move into second place in less than 5 seconds. Only Fanny Smith proved uncatchable and Marielle finished the Olympics with her second medal and first silver.