Marielle Thompson
Ski Cross — Targeting Beijing 2022
2019 World Champion
2014 Olympic Gold Medalist
2016 X Games Silver Medalist
2017, 2014 and 2012 Crystal Globe, World Cup Overall Winner
20 World Cup Career Victories
2013 World Championship Silver Medalist
Social Followers: Instagram, 6,052; Facebook, 4,700; Twitter, 4,174
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 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.
Get ready Pyeongchang.
