Craigleith, Ontario – Youri Duplessis-Kergomard of France claimed victory in the skicross event at Craigleith Ski Club on Saturday, a World Cup stop in ski acrobatic competition. He bested Canada’s Jared Schmidt and Sweden’s David Mobaerg to secure his fifth career World Cup win.
The win comes after a challenging showing at the 2026 Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics in Livigno, Italy, where Duplessis-Kergomard was eliminated in the quarter-finals and finished 15th. This Craigleith triumph marks his second World Cup victory of the season, following a win in Veysonnaz, Switzerland, in January. He also secured a third-place finish at Kopaonik in February, demonstrating consistent form throughout the winter season.
Duplessis-Kergomard’s performance on Saturday was particularly notable as he overcame a slow start in the final, overtaking each of his competitors one by one to take the lead at the finish line. “Finally, it was real skicross!” he exclaimed to the event organizers, as reported by L’Équipe. “The snow wasn’t very good, but it was a good battle. I’m really happy to be skiing real skicross again.”
The victory at Craigleith wasn’t just a personal achievement for Duplessis-Kergomard. He dedicated the win to his teammate, Eliott Piccard, who suffered a fall in the eighth-finals. “This victory is for Eliott Piccard,” he stated. “He’s doing okay now, but it was a little dangerous here, but we need that for the show. This victory is also for the whole team, for all the guys who work with us.”
The Craigleith course, known for its challenging terrain, provided a welcome contrast to the flatter, slower Olympic track in Milan-Cortina. Duplessis-Kergomard had previously voiced his frustration with the Olympic course and the conditions at Craigleith clearly suited his aggressive, dynamic style of skiing. Skicross, a discipline that combines elements of skiing and snowboarding with racing head-to-head on a course filled with jumps, berms, and rollers, demands both technical skill and physical prowess.
On the women’s side, Hannah Schmidt of Canada also earned a silver medal, racing behind Swiss winner Fanny Smith. Her brother, Jared Schmidt, mirrored her success with a silver in the men’s final. This sibling success story added to the excitement for the Canadian crowd at Craigleith.
While Duplessis-Kergomard’s victory is a significant achievement, Reece Howden of Canada continues to lead the overall World Cup standings. Despite being eliminated in the quarter-finals on Saturday and finishing ninth, Howden maintains a substantial lead of 264 points over Italy’s Simone Deromedis. With over 300 points still available, Howden is well-positioned to secure the overall title.
A second skicross race is scheduled for Sunday at Craigleith, providing another opportunity for athletes to compete on the challenging Canadian course. Following the Craigleith stop, the World Cup tour will move to Gällivare, Sweden, next week for the finals, where two additional races are planned. The culmination of the season in Sweden will determine the final standings and the crowning of the overall World Cup champions.
The skicross event at Craigleith showcased the thrilling nature of the sport and the high level of competition among the world’s best athletes. Duplessis-Kergomard’s victory is a testament to his resilience and determination, while the success of the Canadian siblings, Hannah and Jared Schmidt, added a special touch to the event for the home crowd. Fans can follow the remaining World Cup events in Sweden to observe who will ultimately claim the coveted Crystal Globe.
Next Up: The World Cup continues Sunday with another skicross race at Craigleith Ski Club. Following that, the season concludes with the World Cup Finals in Gällivare, Sweden, next week.
What are your thoughts on Duplessis-Kergomard’s comeback win? Share your opinions in the comments below!
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