Sandra Naeslund earned victory in Watles ©Getty Images

Sweden’s Sandra Naeslund earned her first International Ski Federation (FIS) Ski Cross World Cup victory of her career by producing a strong display in Watles.

The focus heading into the women’s competition had been on whether Canada's Marielle Thompson could add to her three victories already this season.

It was not to be for the Canadian in Italy as she would miss out on making the big final, leaving her fifth at the end of the day.

Naeslund grasped the opportunity, presented by Thompson’s absence, with both hands as she smoothly swept to victory.

Canada’s Georgia Simmerling and Germany’s Heidi Zacher would complete the podium positions, as Switzerland’s Fanny Smith was edged out in fourth.

Thompson remains in charge of the overall World Cup standings as she has 520 points, with Zacher second on 384.

Switzerland's Armin Niederer triumphed in the men's event ©Getty Images
Switzerland's Armin Niederer triumphed in the men's event ©Getty Images

Victory in the men’s competition was earned by Armin Niederer of Switzerland, who edged out Canada’s Brady Leman in the big final.

The podium was completed by the overall World Cup leader Jean Frederic Chapuis of France, who already had two victories to his credit.

He finished ahead of his compatriot Bastien Midol, who would end the event in fourth place.

Chapuis’ third place helped him to preserve his lead in the overall standings, with the Frenchman having 419 points to his nearest challenger Leman’s 327.