Feb. 17 (UPI) -- Sandra Naeslund of Sweden has won the Olympic women's ski cross gold medal in Beijing on Thursday.
The 25-year-old entered the ski cross final at Genting Snow Park P & X Stadium as the favorite to win gold in the event that sees four skiers simultaneously racing one another, which is in contrast to other Olympic Alpine events in which skiers ski against the time.
Naeslund got off to an early lead in the race that she never relinquished, allowing the three other skiers to fight for the remaining two spots on the Olympic podium.
It is her first Olympic medal in three appearances at the games.
Her win also ended Canada's gold medal dominance in the event. It is the first time a Canadian has not won the top medal since the event debuted in 2010.
Marielle Thompson of Canada was the second to cross the finish line, earning her the silver medal with the bronze going to Germany's Daniela Maier.
Fanny Smith of Switzerland was actually the third skier to cross the finish line but was relegated to fourth place following a review that determined she had made contact with other skiers in the race.
Thompson adds the silver medal to the gold she won in the event during the 2014 Games in Sochi.
