Reece Howden completes sensational 11-medal ski cross campaign with silver

With a fourth season title secured, ski cross racer Reece Howden could have shown up for Sunday’s World Cup season finale and put in a solid effort before returning home to Canada.

But that isn’t Howden. He’s incredibly competitive and wants to win each race.

“I love racing, I love head-to-head [competition],” the native of Cultus Lake, B.C. told the International Ski and Snowboard Federation on Sunday after capturing a silver medal in Gällivare, Sweden.

“I love to win but I hate to lose, and I hate to not reach my potential.”

Simone Deromedis, who won Olympic gold last month in Milan, took the lead early in Sunday’s race. However, Howden caught up to him in the final turns of the course, but lost in a photo finish.

Deromedis’s Italian teammate, Edoardo Zorzi, didn’t finish the competition along with Kilian Himmelsbach of Germany.

Canada's Howden narrowly misses win in final World Cup ski cross race of the season

Howden also claimed silver in Saturday’s race behind Sweden's David Mobaerg.

“Fortunately,” Howden said, “my potential usually ends with quite a bit of success. As long as I’m trying to do my best and holding myself accountable, that’s where I find the most success.”

Howden finished his seventh season on the World Cup circuit with 11 podium finishes across 16 events, including six victories.

Last weekend, he placed ninth near Collingwood, Ont., but earned enough points to claim his second consecutive Crystal Globe as season champion.

Howden finished with a 311-point lead over Deromedis.

The 27-year-old Howden pointed out he wouldn’t be successful without an “awesome” support team, including his parents Alex and Nancy.

“I’ve been working really hard for this moment,” he said. “The highest of highs and