Maier produces her best for Ski Cross Olympic gold

Daniela Maier (GER) produced a perfect day as she raced to the Olympic Ski Cross title at the 2026 Milano Cortina Games.

Maier upgraded from her bronze in 2022, with Fanny Smith (SUI) doing the same to shift from bronze to silver. Reigning Olympic champion Sandra Naeslund (SWE) completed the podium with the bronze.

Maier’s Moment

Today is all about Daniela Maier. In a stunning day for the German skier, she produced some of the best form of her career to secure a maiden Olympic title and her second Games medal in the process after bronze in Beijing.

The ability to deal with the pressure that came Maier’s way was one of the standout stories of the day, as she raced to success throughout her morning and afternoon work. That’s not to say the pressure wasn’t felt though, as she explained afterwards. “I felt it at the start section. I saw the skis of Fanny, I saw the skis of Sandra (and I was like), 'Dani, you have to push, you have to push, be by yourself'. I did and I tried to be as perfect as possible on the run and it was a really good one.”

The story of the day

The seeding run saw Germany’s Daniela Maier set the time of the morning, 0.21s ahead of Sweden’s Sandra Naeslund with the rest of the field more than a second back. The duo were dominant in their outings and made no mistakes from their 1/8 runs either, both crossing their runs ahead of the pack as the two out in front in the World Cup standings kept their form here.

The first major shock of the quarter finals came in the form of Marielle Thompson’s (CAN) elimination, the 2022 silver medallist unable to aim for a third Olympic medal in a race that Maier again was dominant in. Compatriot Hannah Schmidt was another to miss out in her quarter-final, one won by Fanny Smith (SUI) who kept her hopes of a third Olympic medal going. It was better news for Jole Galli (ITA), who reached the semi-finals just behind Naeslund, keeping host nation hopes alive.

The first semi-final was the story of Maier once again, speeding into a huge lead from the off and maintaining it throughout. There was a photo finish for second between Marielle Berger Sabbatel (FRA) and Taline Gantenbein (SUI), with Sabbatel getting it on the line, as Gantenbein and Sixtine Cousin (SUI) missing out on the Big Final.

Maier and Sabbatel had their spots secured, with two more big finalists to find from the other semi-final. Naeslund and Smith were the ones to progress, a trio of Olympic finals in a row for Smith whilst Naeslund could go on in search of defending her Olympic title. Galli’s home dreams came to an end, with Jade Grillet Aubert (FRA) missing out too.

In the Small Final, it was more pain for Galli as she crossed skis on a landing and crashed out, with Gantenbein winning that one for a fifth placed Olympic finish. And that left just the Big to go. Maier took control early on as she burst out the blocks, with early contact on Naeslund leaving her with catching up to do. And Maier was able to maintain her pace – and focus – throughout as she raced to the Olympic title, with Smith in silver and Naeslund in bronze.

Full results from the Ski Cross

From Bronze to Silver

For Fanny Smith, it’s another monumental moment in an incredible career. A third Olympic medal is just rewards after a season that she admits hasn’t been the easiest. “It’s been a tough season for me. I injured myself this summer and I knew that I would have to really give it (my) all. It’s really special to take the silver medal. Silver tastes amazing. I’m quite emotional right now. It’s hard to find the words.”

Smith kept her calm in the Big Final to come through in second behind Maier, and with the pressure on she delivered once more. As for the future? That’s not her focus for today.

Naeslund back on the podium

After what has been another superb season for the Swedish star, being back on an Olympic podium is testament to Naeslund’s work in recent years. “It means a lot, it’s been a tough road. It was a battle today. I didn't ski perfect, but I'm so happy with this medal."

Having fought back from injuries and tough moments, Naeslund’s moment here is one filled with emotion. And while attention can turn to the future now, it’s not something she is looking directly at for the time being, opting to enjoy this moment instead.

Still to come

Tomorrow (Saturday 21^st) sees the men take to Ski Cross in search of Olympic medals. The action begins with the seeding runs at 10:00 CET, with the finals from 12:00.

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