The World Cup ski cross season has started, and Cultus Lake’s Reece Howden is already dominating the slopes.
There were five races in December and he won three of them consecutively, and breaking world records in the process.
Howden’s first win this season was in Arosa, Switzerland. He earned his 19th gold medal there, surpassing Jean-Frederic Chapuis (France) with 18.
Howden was dominate, winning each of his heats.
“That’s 19, right?” said a smiling Howden at the finish line. “Today’s race was unreal. A huge shoutout to Jean-Fred, now retired, setting an amazing benchmark and I’m so grateful for the opportunity to compete with him and to take this mark and to push it higher. This has been hanging over my head for a couple of weeks now and it’s amazing to get it done.”
Howden now has become the winningest male ski cross racer in the FIS World Cup history.
The next stop was Innichen, Italy, where two races were held.
Once again, Howden dominated all of his heats both days on this long course.
“You have to be smart on a long course like this,” he said. “If you’re tired, you know that the other racers are tired as well and conserve energy where you can.”
So that’s exactly what he did, winning both races and moving up into the top spot overall with 353 points this season. Second overall is Italian skier Simone Deromedis with 260.
Howden now has extended the world record for most wins to 21 gold medals and he’s not done yet. These wins also include four at Innichen, another record for any male SX racer.
“It’s special to have a weekend like this in a place like Innichen,” said a smiling Howden at the time. “It’s a tough track, and the legs are a little tired. This is a great way to start the Christmas season, and looking forward to getting home for the holidays.”
This was Howden’s 81st career World Cup start, his 33rd podium and 21st win.
That works out to winning a gold medal in 30 per cent of his races.
There are four races, two in Veysonnez, Switzerland and two in Val di Fassa, Italy before the Olympics. The SX races will be held in Livigno, Italy on Friday Feb. 20 for the women’s and Saturday, Feb. 21 for the men.