Skier Mollie Jepsen speeds to Canada's 1st gold medal of Beijing Paralympics

Alpine skier Mollie Jepsen sped to Canada's first gold medal of the Beijing Paralympics on Saturday in China.

The 22-year-old from West Vancouver, B.C., won the women's standing downhill with a time of one minute 21.75 seconds, upgrading from the bronze she won in the event four years ago in Pyeongchang.

China's Zhang Mengqiu fell just one-tenth of a second behind Jepsen to take silver, while Sweden's Ebba Aarsjoe earned bronze at 1:23.20.

The door opened for Jepsen when the first skier out of the gates, France's Marie Bochet, lost one of her skis within seconds and was not able to finish the race. Bochet owns eight career Paralympic titles.

WATCH | Jepsen wins gold in Beijing:

The Canadian took full advantage of her opportunity, producing a smooth run down the course at the Yanqing National Alpine Skiing Centre.

Jepsen, skiing third, seemed well on her way to the top time of the day through about three-quarters of the race before wobbling on a turn and nearly falling

But she was able to right herself just in time, crossing the finish line in first place and never relinquishing her hold.

WATCH | What you missed from the opening ceremony:

Fellow Canadians Michaela Gosselin and Alana Ramsay missed the podium, placing fifth and seventh, respectively.

Jepsen, who was born missing fingers on her left hand, now owns five career Paralympic medals, including two gold. She won gold in super combined, a silver in slalom and a bronze in both downhill and giant slalom in 2018.

But it hasn't all been easy for her since. Just months after her career-defining success in Korea, Jepsen was diagnosed with Crohn's disease, knocking her out of competition for the entire next season. She'd also battle other injuries in the ensuing years.

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