BEIJING -- World champion Sandra Naeslund of Sweden won the women's Olympic skicross competition on Thursday 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.
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 ended 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.