Daniela Maier of Germany won the gold medal in women's ski cross at the Winter Olympics in Livigno, Italy, edging out Switzerland's Fanny Smith for silver. Sweden's defending champion Sandra Naeslund took bronze in the final featuring the top four World Cup competitors. The race marked a rematch from the 2022 Games where Maier and Smith shared a bronze medal.
The women's ski cross final took place on February 20, 2026, in Livigno, a northern Italian town in the Province of Sondrio, under light snow conditions. The 1.5-kilometer course included bumps, jumps, turns, rollers, and banks, known for its unpredictability as competitors often collide or crash.
Maier, 29, competing in her second Olympics, seized an early lead in the four-woman final and maintained her position to the finish line. This victory adds gold to the bronze she earned in Beijing 2022. "It's insane," Maier said after leaping onto the podium and kissing her medal, with tears streaming during the German anthem. "I cannot really say what it means to me because I'm not realising it yet."
Smith, 33, finished just behind, securing silver to complement her two prior bronzes. Thrilled despite recent injuries, she noted the emotional boost from family and friends near the Swiss border. "Silver tastes amazing," Smith said. "I’m quite emotional right now. It’s hard to find the words."
Naeslund had a slow start and was passed by Smith midway, settling for bronze as the defending champion. France's Marielle Berger Sabbatel placed fourth.
The event recalled a 2022 controversy: Smith initially finished third ahead of Maier but was penalized for interference by an International Ski Federation jury. The Court of Arbitration for Sport later overruled this, awarding both skiers bronze medals.
Local favorite Jole Galli of Italy, 30, reached the small final but crashed after crossing skis, finishing eighth. "I’m a bit angry," Galli said. "I was definitely aiming for something more, but I gave it my all." Canada's Marielle Thompson, a 2022 silver medalist, was eliminated in the quarterfinals.
The men's ski cross medal event is scheduled for the following day.
