Canada's Marielle Thompson scores World Cup ski cross gold

Marielle Thompson's comeback is proceeding as planned.

The Canadian won gold at the ski cross World Cup in Arosa, Switzerland on Tuesday, her first time topping the podium since January 2020.

The victory comes just two days after Thompson, 29, won bronze at the Val Thorens World Cup, which marked her return to competition after suffering a knee injury late last season.

Thompson's victory in Switzerland was a nail-biter, as her skis crossed the finish line mere moments ahead of Switzerland's Fanny Smith. Canada's Zoe Chore earned bronze.

WATCH | Thompson lands gold in Switzerland:

Whistler's Marielle Thompson returns to top of World Cup ski cross podium in Arosa

3 years ago

Duration 5:08

After suffering a knee injury last season, Marielle Thompson of Whistler, B.C., returned to the top of a World Cup ski cross podium for the first time since January 2020.

A crash toward the end of the race left all four athletes scrambling for position, while knocking Sweden's Sandra Naeslund from contention.

The Whistler, Ont., native was the Olympic champion at Sochi 2014, but placed just 17th at the 2018 Games months after undergoing knee surgery for a ruptured ACL and MCL.

Canadians Courtney Hoffos and Hannah Schmidt also advanced to the semifinals, eventually placing fifth and eighth, respectively.

Action from the competition in Arosa continues Wednesday at 3 p.m. ET on CBCSports.ca, the CBC Sports app and CBC Gem.

Canada's Jared Schmidt earns bronze 

On the men's side, Canada's Jared Schmidt — brother of the aforementioned Hannah Schmidt — collected bronze for his second career World Cup podium appearance.

Jared Schmidt, 24, is vying for his first Olympic appearance at the Beijing Games. The former alpine skier only joined the national team during the 2018-19 season after a text from 2018 Canadian silver medallist Brittany Phelan inspired him to make the switch.

"I feel great about this podium. Stoked to be under the lights in Arosa," said Schmidt. "The girls were crushing it all day and Brady and Carson were battling it out in the small final. It's a great team result today."

WATCH | Schmidt snags bronze medal:

Ottawa's Jared Schmidt scores World Cup ski cross bronze medal

3 years ago

Duration 3:31

Ottawa native Jared Schmidt finished in third place in the men's big final at the FIS freestyle skiing World Cup event in Arosa, Switzerland.

His previous World Cup medal was also bronze, won in Bakuriani, Georgia in February.

Sweden's David Moaberg captured gold on Tuesday, while France's Terence Tchiknavorian took silver.

Canada's Carson Cook and Brady Leman placed seventh and eighth, respectively.