ST. MORITZ, Switzerland — In a thrilling showcase of skiing prowess, Swiss champions Ryan Regez and Fanny Smith secured the top position in the ski cross mixed team finals, complementing their individual gold medals at the Freestyle World Championships on Saturday. Their victory exemplified their dominance on the slopes, earning them the coveted title.
Meanwhile, in a gripping contest, Japan’s Miki Tsubaki turned the tides against Ester Ledecka, besting her in the women’s parallel slalom showdown. This event highlighted Tsubaki’s skillful execution and determination, offering a sweet victory over the formidable Ledecka.
The ski cross team competition commenced with the men taking the lead. The Swiss pair, noted favorites, displayed strategic prowess as Regez and Smith competed against strong French and Italian contenders. France’s teams, including athletes Youri Duplessis Kergomard with Marielle Berger Sabbatel, and Melvin Tchiknavorian with Jade Grillet-Aubert, posed significant challenges alongside Italy’s hopefuls.
During the men’s segment, Duplessis Kergomard initially led the charge, with Regez maintaining a close watch. A tactical maneuver allowed Regez to surpass them both as they approached the final corner, enabling him to secure a lead before smoothly handing off the torch to Smith.
Smith, who had previously clinched an individual gold at the 2013 World Championships, maintained her momentum confidently. She led decisively from the outset, ultimately ensuring victory for the Swiss duo. The French team of Tchiknavorian and Grillet-Aubert clinched the silver medal, while Italy’s Yanick Gunsch and Jole Galli earned the bronze.
In a separate event, Tsubaki’s victory over Ledecka resonated as a sweet reversal of fortunes. Previously, Ledecka had claimed victory over the defending champion Tsubaki in Thursday’s parallel giant slalom, marking another triumph in her illustrious snowboarding career, alongside her roles as an acclaimed Alpine skier.
In other results, Michelle Dekker from the Netherlands secured the bronze medal by overcoming Poland’s Aleksandra Krol-Walas, who missed adding a second medal following her third-place finish in the giant slalom.
Bulgaria’s 20-year-old Tervel Zamfirov impressed in the men’s competition by taking down Austrian Arvid Auner in the final. Italian seasoned racer Aaron March rounded off the podium by claiming the bronze.
