World champion Sandra Naeslund of Sweden won the women’s Olympic skicross competition in a race where the third-place finisher was disqualified.
Naeslund opened up a lead and held off Canada’s Marielle Thompson on a snowy day along the winding course filled with bumps and jumps.
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The third-place finisher was Fanny Smith of Switzerland, but after a delay, the bronze was awarded to Daniela Maier of Germany.
Smith moved her left ski directly into the line of Maier and Maier briefly lost her balance. Maier fell two body lengths behind and couldn’t catch up.
Following the review, Smith’s place was listed as “RAL” – ranked as last.
Naeslund’s win ends the reign of Canada, which had won every Olympic gold in the women’s version of the race since its debut at the 2010 Vancouver Games.
The moment when Smith was stripped of her medal stunned Olympics fans across social media.
Former English English freestyle Emily Sarsfield was among many on Twitter to voice their displeasure at the decision.
“Totally shocked at that call,” she tweeted. “Fanny Smith deserved that bronze medal… there was nothing intentional in that, just avoiding landing on Mariell!”
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