Quick Read
- Fanny Smith, Swiss freeskier, will compete in skicross at the Milan Cortina Games.
- She is aiming for Olympic gold after winning two bronze medals previously.
- Smith was initially demoted from bronze at Beijing 2022 but later reinstated by CAS.
- She is the reigning skicross world champion and a four-time World Cup Crystal Ball winner.
- Smith served as Switzerland’s flag bearer at the Livigno opening ceremony.
LIVIGNO, Italy (Azat TV) – Swiss freeskier Fanny Smith, a veteran competitor and reigning world champion, is poised for her fifth Olympic appearance at the Milan Cortina Games, where she will compete in the women’s skicross event on Friday. Her pursuit of an elusive Olympic gold medal comes under heightened scrutiny after a protracted and controversial medal dispute at the 2022 Beijing Winter Games, where she was initially demoted from a bronze podium finish before the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) ultimately reinstated her medal months later.
At 33 years old, Smith is eyeing what could be her final opportunity for Olympic gold, having previously secured a bronze medal at the 2018 Pyeongchang Games. Despite the mental toll of the Beijing controversy, she has maintained her elite performance level, serving as Switzerland’s flag bearer at the opening ceremony in Livigno and remaining a dominant force in skicross.
The Lingering Shadow of Beijing’s Skicross Controversy
The 2022 Beijing Winter Games saw Fanny Smith initially finish third in the women’s skicross final, believing she had secured her second career Olympic bronze. However, a lengthy video review by officials led to her demotion to fourth place, with Germany’s Daniela Maier being promoted to third. Officials judged that Smith had impeded Maier by splaying her skis while jockeying for position. Smith vehemently protested the decision in China, but to no avail.
Undeterred, Smith appealed the decision to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS). Several months later, CAS made the rare move of overruling the officials’ decision, determining that two bronze medals should be awarded. Consequently, more than a year after the race, Smith was able to celebrate her rightful medal with her family in Lausanne. This experience, however, has deeply affected her trust in sports governance. “For me what was really, really hard, and I’m still in the process of accepting, is that I have completely lost trust of the International Ski Federation,” Smith told The Associated Press. “I don’t have trust anymore in them because for me that was a mistake. And the CAS (decision) showed it.”
In response to inquiries from The Associated Press, International Ski and Snowboard Federation (FIS) spokesman Bruno Sassi stated that the rules regarding in-race interference have not changed since the last Games, including the stipulation that “all jury decisions regarding interference cannot be protested.” Sassi acknowledged that the resolution of the 2022 case through a court of law was not ideal but maintained the principle of the jury’s sovereign decision.
Smith’s Unwavering Trust and Performance on Snow
Despite the emotional ordeal of the Beijing dispute, Smith’s competitive spirit and on-snow performance have not diminished. She remains at the pinnacle of her sport, which involves four skiers racing simultaneously down a course featuring banks, rollers, and jumps. Contact is permitted, and overtakes are often both spectacular and perilous.
Smith secured her second world title in March, adding to her 2013 victory, making her the reigning skicross world champion. She also claimed her fourth skicross Crystal Ball last year for finishing as the top-ranked competitor in the World Cup season, having previously won in 2013, 2019, and 2021. These accolades are part of her impressive record of 89 World Cup podiums over 17 years in professional skiing. Smith emphasized that she will not alter her racing approach for the upcoming Olympics. “I am honestly not thinking about changing my way of skiing because I don’t think that my way of skiing is wrong,” she asserted, noting she had never faced such issues before Beijing.
Skicross Evolution and Smith’s Enduring Passion
Fanny Smith discovered skicross at age 12, finding downhill skiing ‘boring’ in comparison. She was present for skicross’s Olympic debut in Vancouver in 2010. Over her career, she has witnessed the sport’s evolution, including changes towards easier courses designed to reduce serious injury risks following a tragic incident at a World Cup event in 2012 and a spine injury during training at the 2014 Sochi Games.
However, Smith observes that these changes have paradoxically led to more crashes, as racers feel more confident taking risks during passes. She highlights the dynamic nature of skicross, advocating for its excitement over other disciplines. “You don’t have to be a professional to know what’s happening,” Smith explained, comparing it to Formula One, where four racers compete directly against each other on the same course, ensuring constant action.
Smith’s continued pursuit of Olympic gold, fueled by her unwavering confidence in her skiing style and her determination to overcome past controversies, underscores a resilient athlete focused on proving her merit on the snow rather than through legal battles. Her journey at the Milan Cortina Games represents not just a quest for a medal but a testament to her enduring passion for the sport and a desire for an undisputed, trouble-free podium finish.