Fritz, from the municipality of Bartholomäberg, registered a combined time of 1min 42.79sec to finish ahead of Bulgaria's Albert Popov in 1:43.07 and Belgium's Armand Marchant in 1:43.21.

"I didn't think much; I just skied," said Fritz. 

"At the start I was really nervous.

"The top part was shadowy, thus sight wasn't too good.

"It has definitely been my most exciting race so far, and I am incredibly proud to have won in my home Olympics."

Meanwhile in the boys' Nordic combined event, Germany's Willi Hengelhaupt claimed victory, despite finding himself in fourth place after the ski jumping element, held at the Montafon Nordic in Tschagguns.

His performance in the 10 kilometres cross-country race in Gaschurn turned the tide in his favour as he posted an overall winning time of 27:17.40, 13 seconds clear of Finland's Severi Taipale and 17.1 ahead of Austria's Samuel Mraz.

"I skied two composed laps," said Hengelhaupt.

"In the third one I increased the pace, and this helped me win."

Pascal Fritz fended off the challenge of Bulgaria's Albert Popov and Belgium's Armand Marchant to claim the gold medal in the Alpine skiing giant slalom at the EYOF ©ÖOC/GEPA



There was a gold and silver double for Norway in the boy's 10km cross-country race in Steg, Liechtenstein, as Petter Stakston and Hermann Martens Meyer finished first and second respectively, with Germany's Janosch Brugger in bronze.

Stakston's time of 27:08.90 proved too quick for the chasing pack as Meyer crossed the line in 27:18.00, with Brugger a further 7.9 seconds back.

"It is my first time in Liechtenstein, and it's a great place," said Stakston.

"The race, the surroundings and the conditions - everything is perfect."

The girl's 7.5km cross-country race, also in Steg, garnered more Norwegian success as Marte Maehlum Johansen clocked a time of 23:04.30 to edge out Russia's Lidia Durkina in 23:08.80 and Germany's Katherine Sauerbrey in 23:17.60.

"The track is quite demanding, but I had good skis and strong legs," said Johansen.

Germany's Willi Hengelhaupt claimed victory in the boys' Nordic combined event ©ÖOC/GEPA



France and Germany took away two medals each from the boys and girls' snowboard boardercross events in Schruns.

Merlin Surget claimed a gold for the French in the boys' event, with Germany's Leon Beckhaus in third, while compatriot Marie Marguet finished second to Germany's Sarah Dienstbeck in the girls' event.

Austria's Fabian Hartmann took silver in the boys' event and Russia's Kristina Paul was the girls' bronze medallist.

Czech Republic and Russia both made winning starts in the ice hockey, beating Switzerland and Finland respectively, while in the figure skating, Armenia's Anastasiya Galustyan leads the girls' event after the short programme with 52.94 points and Latvia's Deniss Vasiljevs tops the boys' rankings on 70.1 points.

The figure skating is due to conclude on Wednesday (January 28) with the free skating element.

Norway head the medal table after day one with two golds and one silver, followed by Germany in second with two golds and three bronze, and Austria in third with one gold, one silver and one bronze. 

Tomorrow's action consists of biathlon, ice hockey, Alpine skiing, ski jumping and snowboard as more young athletes begin their quest for medals.

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