Switzerland's Sarah Höfflin saved her best performance until last as a superb display propelled her to the Olympic gold medal in the women's ski slopestyle event ©Getty Images

Switzerland's Sarah Höfflin saved her best performance until last as a superb display propelled her to the Olympic gold medal in the women's ski slopestyle event at Pyeongchang 2018 today.

The 27-year-old scored a colossal 91.20 points in her third and final run to beat compatriot Mathilde Gremaud at the Phoenix Snow Park.

Gremaud had laid down a marker of 88.00 points in her opening attempt and it stood as the leading score until Höfflin took to the treacherous course.

It was now or never for the Swiss, big air gold medallist at the Winter X Games in Aspen earlier this year, and she pulled off an electric routine to snatch the Olympic crown.

Gremaud outlined her status as a future star of the sport as the 18-year-old's total was enough for the silver medal.

Britain's Izzy Atkin also used her final run to full effect, scoring 84.60 points to leapfrog American Maggie Voisin into bronze medal position.

Switzerland's Sarah Höfflin produced a stunning performance in the third run to take gold ©Getty Images
Switzerland's Sarah Höfflin produced a stunning performance in the third run to take gold ©Getty Images

Höfflin, a relative newcomer to the sport, had never finished on the podium at a World Championships or Olympic Games but ended that record in style, despite tricky conditions.

"I wasn't really expecting too much, but I think the best thing about today is I managed to step on the podium with my teammate," the Swiss said.

"That was a dream.

"I suppose I got pretty lucky. 

"I ski better when there is no wind and I struggle with the wind. 

"We had wind in the practice and for my final run I was so relaxed because I knew what the speed was and usually if I know the speed I know the trick."