Sixtine Cousin and Terence Tchiknavorian upset odds to claim Innichen victories in final World Cup races of 2023

Swiss Sixtine Cousin and Frenchman Terence Tchiknavorian claimed upset wins in the final ski cross World Cup races of 2023.

Cousin claimed her maiden World Cup gold and Tchiknavorian his first in more than a year, as the race favourites slipped up in the second half of a double-header at Innichen, Italy.

Cousin, 24, was in the right place to capitalise on a late slip from Olympic champion Sandra Naeslund. The Swede missed a late gate and skied off the course, leaving the door open for the Swiss to claim victory and Marielle Berger Sabbatel of France, silver.

Likewise, the early exits of overall men’s World Cup leader Jared Schmidt and Reece Howden allowed Tchiknavorian to pounce and reach the podium, alongside Germans Tim Hronek and Florian Wilmsmann.