Intro:

Thomas Zangerl and Marielle Thompson were victorious at the Freestyle World Cup ski cross events in Nakiska, Canada on Saturday (6th December).

Script:

Nakiska in the west of Canada staged the first ski cross events of the Freestyle World Cup season and Thomas Zangerl was the form skier, having won all three of his heats en route to the final.

The Austrian jumped out to an early lead and never relinquished first place, claiming the second World Cup victory of his career ahead of Sweden's Oehling Norberg.

The field for the ladies' final included defending world and champion Marielle Thompson and last season's ski cross runner-up, Fanny Smith.

Canadian Thompson edged into an early lead with Smith and compatriot Georgia Simmerling keeping her under constant pressure.

Thompson held on to make a winning start to the new season, just as she had 12 months ago on the same course.

A mistake from Swiss skier Smith halfway down the course allowed Simmerling to come through and make it a Canadian one-two.