Following an exceptional 2023-24 season where she secured an unprecedented fourth Crystal Globe as the overall World Cup ski cross champion, Marielle Thompson of Whistler, B.C. has returned home alongside her accomplished teammates to celebrate their achievements and initiate a new fundraising campaign. Thompson's fourth Crystal Globe equals the record for most FIS season titles ever achieved, further enhancing a distinguished career that includes 31 World Cup victories, 67 podium finishes, and both Olympic gold and silver medals. Thompson expressed her pride in representing Canada internationally and sharing this significant moment with teammates who experienced an outstanding season.
The Canadian ski cross team maintained its competitive dominance by securing its third consecutive Nations Cup title this year, marking the seventh Nations Cup victory in the past nine seasons. Joining Thompson at the celebration event were world championship medalist Cameron Alexander, two-time Crystal Globe winner Reece Howden, and Paralympic multi-medalists Alexis Guimond and Mollie Jepsen. Together, these elite athletes helped launch the 'Driven to Win' fundraising initiative organized by Alpine Canada and BC Alpine, which features a grand prize of a 2024 Porsche Cayenne AWD valued at $126,000.
Therese Brisson, CEO of Alpine Canada, emphasized that proceeds from the fundraiser will deliver essential support for alpine ski racing programs throughout British Columbia. This financial assistance will benefit programs ranging from grassroots community clubs to the national team level, ultimately helping cultivate the next generation of ski racing talent within the province. The fundraising initiative represents a strategic investment in the future of Canadian alpine sports, building upon the current success demonstrated by Thompson and her teammates during their record-breaking competitive season.
