In a thrilling display of talent at the Skicross World Championships held in St. Moritz on March 21, 2025, German skier Tobias Müller secured a silver medal, despite not finishing the final race in the traditional sense. A twist of fate emerged when the jury awarded him second place after a controversial decision following several disqualifications among his competitors.
Müller, 32, faced an unexpected turn during the finals when he had to swerve to avoid French skater Youri Duplessis Kergomard, who ended up being disqualified. Kergomard's disqualification opened the door for Müller’s podium finish, though he expressed surprise over how the race unfolded. “For me, it’s also a surprise, I’m just overjoyed,” Müller stated, reflecting on the sudden changes in his fortunes. He added, “I had no chance to get the gate after being cut off.” Witnessing his fellow competitors navigate the course had been dramatic, as Ryo Sugai from Japan crashed earlier in the race, highlighting the stakes and perils of high-speed skicross.
Müller’s silver medal marked a significant achievement for the German Ski Association, which had only celebrated two medals in its Skicross history prior to this win. Alongside Müller, Daniela Maier claimed bronze, overcoming a challenging start in her final to finish third behind Fanny Smith of Switzerland, who won gold. Canadian skater Courtney Hoffos took the second place in the race where Maier triumphed, further crowding the podium with elite talent.
While celebrating this medal haul, Florian Wilmsmann, another promising athlete from Germany, competed but was eliminated in the quarter-finals. At 29, Wilmsmann remained optimistic about his standing, currently leading in the overall World Cup standings. He is now set to redeem his performance at the World Cup finale in Idre Fjäll, Sweden, the following weekend.
Simultaneously, another remarkable story unfolded in the Freeski, Freestyle and Snowboard World Championships also on March 21, where Austrian athlete Lara Wolf made headlines. After retiring from competitive skiing in October 2023 at the young age of 23, Wolf made a triumphant return to the World Cup in January 2025, finishing third in Kreischberg. On this occasion in the Engadin region of Switzerland, she surpassed previous expectations by claiming a silver medal, marking a historic moment as it is the first medaled achievement for Austrian women in the Freeski discipline.
Wolf expressed her overwhelming emotions after the win, which she dedicated to her journey back to competitive skiing, stating, “I am so overwhelmed that I achieved this. I am so happy and proud of myself.” Her victory highlights not only personal triumphs but also sets a precedent for female athletes competing in a sport that is still evolving.
In the same competition, Mathilde Gremaud from Switzerland secured gold, while Canadian skier Meghan Oldham took home the bronze. This event exemplified the international competition present at this championship, showcasing some of the best athletes in the sport. Wolf’s achievement ties into a larger narrative celebrating resilience, determination, and the breaking of barriers for women in sports.
The 2025 Skicross and Freeski championships have set the stage for an exciting season ahead, with athletes like Müller and Wolf underlining their fighting spirit and skills on an international platform, aiming for even greater heights at the upcoming World Cup events.
