Sweden’s Sandra Naeslund won ski cross gold on Thursday, ending Canada’s 12-year reign atop the podium.
Since the race’s debut at the 2010 Vancouver Olympic Games, Canada had won gold in every single women’s version of the race. But on Thursday, Naeslund held off Canada’s Marielle Thompson to take gold.
Canada had won every women's ski cross gold medal in Olympic history... until today.
— NBC Olympics (@NBCOlympics) February 17, 2022
The first GOLD for Sweden and Sandra Naeslund! #WinterOlympics pic.twitter.com/FcajBJpXdU
Switzerland’s Fanny Smith originally finished in third before the bronze was awarded to Germany’s Daniela Maier. It was determined that Smith moved her left ski into Maier’s line, causing Maier to lose her balance and fall two body lengths behind. Smith was disqualified as a result.
It’s the second Olympic medal for Thompson, who won gold at the 2014 Sochi Olympics. For Naeslund and Maier, these are their first Olympic medals.