Alexis Guimond opens World Cup season with gold in men’s standing Super G

STEINACH, Austria – Alexis Guimond of Gatineau, Que., and Mollie Jepsen of West Vancouver won gold and silver respectively on Thursday in their respective standing super G races to open the Para alpine World Cup season.

The two two-time Paralympians served notice immediately they’ll be top medal contenders at the Paralympic Winter Games set for March 6-15 in Milano Cortina, Italy.

In the men’s standing race, Guimond earned his first victory since 2023, clocking the 1,802-metre course in one minute and 09.21 seconds. Jules Seger of France was second in 1:11.55 and Robin Cluche of Switzerland third in 1:12.36. There were 25 entries.

“I woke up with a lot of intentions and I just showed my potential,” Guimond, told Sportcom. “There was a big tactical aspect today. After talking with many of my competitors, several weren’t as aggressive on the line. I was very aggressive right from the start and I had a lot of speed at the first intermediate split. I think that’s what made the difference. I had good pressure and balance on my skis, and I checked all the boxes of what I needed to do.’’

Guimond was recently named a co-captain of the Milano Cortina 2026 Canadian Paralympic team. In a recent interview with CPC, Guimond says he is ready to deliver some big results in 2025-2026.

‘’I’ve had a productive off season in training, and I feel very fit,’’ he said. ‘’I’m fit physically, mentally and technically on my skis.’’

The 26-year-old paralyzed on the right side of his body plans to race all disciplines this season except slalom.

‘’I’m more focused on the speed events (downhill and Super G,’’ he said. ‘’But my giant slalom is still solid. I won the silver in GS at worlds last year and two gold in Cortina in GS two years ago, so I’m also super confident in that event.’’

On the women’s side, Wenjing Zhu of China took the women’s standing event in 1:15.87 with Jepsen, a six-time Paralympic Games medallist second in 1:17.17. Aurélie Richard of France was third in 1:17.35.

Michaela Gosselin of Collingwood, Ont., took sixth spot. She was also sixth in Wednesday’s combined.

After her double medal performance at the 2022 Beijing Paralympics, Jepsen was injured and missed almost full three seasons competing for the World Cup Final this past March. She is just relieved to enter this campaign healthy.

‘’My body’s been through a lot so it’s been re-learning load management,’’ she told CPC. ‘’Just how training days need to look for me. It’s a little different than my teammates and it’s now quality over quantity. I’m no longer the last skier on the hill (in training).’’

The first World Cup concludes Friday with another set of Super G races.