Canada's Kaleb Barnum, Kris Mahler finish 2-3 in World Cup ski cross event in Ontario

Canadian ski cross racers Kaleb Barnum and Kris Mahler both reached the podium in the men's event at the penultimate World Cup stop near Collingwood, Ont., on Sunday.

Barnum, from Fernie, B.C., captured silver in his first career World Cup big final. The 21-year-old held onto second place behind Italy's Federico Tomasoni throughout the four-man race, finishing one spot ahead of Mahler at Craigleith Ski Club.

Mahler, who hails from Canmore, Alta., returned to the World Cup podium for the first time since winning gold in January 2022 in his home province. The 31-year-old missed the 2023-24 season to recover from a broken neck suffered in a ski crash in December 2023.

Ottawa's Jared Schmidt, who earned silver along with sister Hannah on Saturday, dominated the small final to finish fifth overall.

Canada takes World Cup ski cross silver and bronze on home snow

Men's World Cup leader Reece Howden of Chilliwack, B.C., was ninth for the second straight day, missing another chance to clinch his second straight Crystal Globe and fourth of his career. The 27-year-old has 901 points with two races remaining — 280 more than second-ranked Italian Simone Deromedis, the gold medallist at last month's Olympics.

Hannah Schmidt, 31, was the top Canadian on the women's side, finishing eighth overall after placing last in the small final.

Sweden's Sandra Naeslund, who leads the women's World Cup standings by a wide margin, captured the gold medal ahead of France's Marielle Berger Sabbatel. Saturday's winner Fanny Smith of Switzerland finished third to beat out France's Jade Grillet Aubert for bronze.

Tiana Gairns of Prince George, B.C., and Marielle Thompson of Whistler, B.C. finished 14th and 15th, respectively.

The World Cup finals are