Sweden's Sandra Näslund has been dominant so far this season in women's ski cross, winning three of the four races.

The world champion's only blip was in the last race in Arosa in Switzerland, where she did not finish in the big final, placing fourth.

Canadian Marielle Thompson will be looking for her second victory in a row having taken advantage of the Swede's misfortune last time out.

Defending World Cup champion Fanny Smith of Switzerland is another regular fixture on he podium, having finished second on three occasions this season.

Thompson's compatriots Brittany Phelan and Zoe Chore have also stood on the podium this season, as has France's Marielle Berger Sabbatel, who has two third-place finishes to her name and won at this resort two years ago.

While Näslund is the clear skier to beat in the women's event, the men's competition very much wide open, with four different winners in the first four races.

That said, Frenchman Terence Tchiknavorian leads the standings by a considerable margin, 91 points.

The Val Thorens victor also has two second-place finishes to his name too. 

His consistent compatriot Bastien Midol is yet to win this season, but has made the podium twice and is second in the overall standings.

The two French skiers are the only repeat medallists of the season after four races.

Russian Sergey Ridzik won the season-opening World Cup in Beijing, while Swiss world champion Alex Fiva was victorious in the second leg in Val Thorens.

Last time out in Arosa, Sweden's David Mobärg got his first win of the season.

Italian Simone Deromedis is third in the overall standings.

Qualifying begins tomorrow, ahead of back-to-back competitions on Sunday and Monday (December 19 and 20).