Sweden's Sandra Naeslund secures 1st Olympic ski cross gold

ANKARA

Sweden’s Sandra Naeslund claimed her first Olympic gold medal in a scintillating women’s ski cross final at the Winter Games on Thursday.

The 25-year-old reigning ski cross world champion stormed to victory ahead of Canada’s Marielle Thompson, Fanny Smith of Switzerland, and German Daniela Maier.

Smith finished third but was bumped down to fourth for an infringement after a video review, handing Maier the bronze.

Naeslund​​​​​​​’s victory also marked Sweden’s first-ever gold medal in women’s Olympic freestyle skiing.

Gisin grabs 2nd straight gold

Switzerland’s Michelle Gisin retained her Olympic title in the women's Alpine skiing combined.

Gisin, 28, finished with a time of 2 minutes and 25.67 seconds to grab her second straight Olympic gold in the event.

Her compatriot Wendy Holdener took silver with a time of 2:26.72, followed by Italy’s Federica Brignone at 2:27.52.