Näslund, who became Sweden’s first World Champion in ski cross when she won gold at the 2017 FIS Freestyle Ski and Snowboarding World Championships, won her fifth World Cup title of the campaign at the Swedish course ahead of France’s Marielle Berger-Sabbatel, who claimed silver for the second time this season.

Canada’s India Sherret claimed bronze, meaning Canada’s women’s ski cross medal count for the season is now up to five medals.

The most surprising result of the day in the women’s event was undoubtedly Heidi Zacher’s failure to reach the latter stages of the event as the German crashed out at the quarter-final stage, finishing third in her race behind eventual gold medallist Näslund and Canada’s Brittany Phelan.

More surprising still was Alex Fiva’s victory in the men’s event.

Fellow Swiss skier Marc Bischofberger was the heavy favourite going into the day's competition having claimed the last three gold medals on offer on the tour.

However, Fiva performed superbly to beat his compatriot to the top prize, leaving Bischofberger having to settle for silver.

Reigning ski cross World Cup champion Jean-Frédéric Chapuis of France claimed bronze, only his second medal of the season.

The event continues tomorrow with the first races starting at midday.