Canada’s Thompson first entering ski cross quarterfinals at freestyle worlds
BAKURIANI, Georgia — Marielle Thompson of Whistler, B.C., finished first in women’s ski cross qualifying Friday at the world freestyle skiing championships.
Thompson led the way in a time of one minute 25.52 seconds, followed by Sweden’s Sandra Naeslund (1:25.76) and Germany’s Daniela Maier (1:26.60).
Thompson, the 2014 Olympic gold medallist will ski against three Austrians — Sonja Gigler, Katrin Ofner and Andrea Limbacher — in Saturday’s quarterfinals as she seeks her second world title. She won gold at the 2019 worlds at Deer Valley, Utah.
Courtney Hoffos of Windemere, B.C., (17th), Tiana Gairns of Prince George, B.C., (18th) and Ottawa’s Hannah Schmidt (19th) failed to advance to the quarterfinals.