Reece Howden played his cards right and it paid off in gold Saturday in the World Cup ski cross big final in Idre Fjall, Sweden.
Vying for his third medal this season, the 22-year-old native of Cultis Lake hung back in second place behind Switzerland’s Jonas Leharr until he made his move heading into the homestretch for the finish.
It took a photo at the finish to determine it but Howden got to the line first, just ahead of Niklas Bachleitner of Germany, while Simone Deromedis of Italy edged Leharr for bronze.
“The plan was to not come out in front, the draft was too strong,” Howden told Alpine Canada. "I wanted to chill in the middle of the pack and give my legs a bit of a break and once I made that last turn fire up those engines and get out in front.”
"Today was a day of racing, not a day of leading, so I was super happy with my execution and it couldn't have gone any better."
Howden, who won gold and silver in December in Val Thorens, France, leads the World Cup standings.
It was also a memorable day on the slopes for Tiana Gairns of Prince George, who finished a career-best fifth in the women’s race.
Gairns, 23, won the small final, a four-skier heat which included three Canadians. Courtney Hoffos of Invermere was second in that race to Gairns and placed sixth overall, while Marielle Thompson of Whistler was eighth in the standings.
“Idre is interesting since it's such a long track with such a long straight section that you don't want to pass at the beginning,” said Gairns, who was ninth-quickest in her qualifying run.
Hoffos agreed with Gairns and her race strategy on the course.
“You almost want to be patient and hold your composure in fourth place so you can boost ahead of everyone at the last second.”
Gairns, a longtime member of the Prince George Alpine Ski Club, was 13th in Wednesday’s race at Idre.
Other Canadian results were as follows:Men – 7. Chris Del Bosco, 27. Brady Leman, 29. Jared Schmidt, 32. Kris Mahler, 48. Carson Cook; Women – 16. Zoe Chore, 17. Hannah Schmidt.
Qualifying for Sunday’s race in Sweden starts at 3 a.m. PT.
