Winter Olympics 2022 - Sandra Naeslund claims ski-cross gold as controversial video review relegates Fanny Smith

Sweden’s Sandra Naeslund claimed gold in a controversial women’s ski-cross final that saw Switzerland’s Fanny Smith relegated from third to fourth after a lengthy video review. World champion Naeslund, who came fifth in 2014 and fourth in 2018, finally won Olympic gold while Canada’s 2014 champion Marielle Thompson took silver. Ad/> Switzerland’s Fanny Smith, a bronze medallist in Pyeonchang and a 29-time World Cup winner, crossed the line in third.

Freestyle SkiingSmith and Howden claim ski cross crystal globes21/03/2021 AT 20:20 However, after a very lengthy video review, the 29-year-old was adjudged to have impeded German racer Daniela Maier before the final jump and was shown a yellow card, dropping her out of the medal positions. Smith made a move before the race’s final jump that destabilised Maier, but former British Olympic skier Emily Sarsfield was unsure the incident was worthy of punishment. “We have been shocked today in the commentary box,” she said on Eurosport.

/> «It’s someone’s life, it’s everything they’ve put in — their families, their team, their sponsors – over the past four years. It’s a tough one.” As the riders awaited confirmation of the results in the finishing area, shivering in the -11 cold, Eurosport commentator Ian Findlay said the video review was “about the longest I’ve seen in my 10 years of covering this sport”. “Big drama! She is pushed down to fourth place, that is a huge shame for Smith,” he said as the decision was confirmed.