Smith senses World Cup title after wonder weekend

After a glittering weekend, the Swiss skier is just five points behind Marielle Thompson in the World Cup standings heading into the final showdown at La Plagne next weekend. ' Thompson was quickest out of the gate in the ladies' big final but Smith's patience paid off, speeding past the Canadian as Ophelie David and Georgia Simmerling took second and third respectively.

Reigning champion Smith kicked off last year's campaign with three back-to-back victories and she is aiming to do just the same this time round to tie up another stunning season.

"I'm quite happy," Smith said, "It was quite fun, a nice weekend in Are. It feels a bit like last year when I won the three races in a row.

"My goal is to win the [ski cross] World Cup. At the beginning of the season I was really preparing for the Olympic Games, but now that they're past I'm just trying to have fun and win the World Cup."

In the men's ski cross, Austria's Thomas Zangerl sprung a surprise in picking up his first career victory.

Zangerl dominated from start to finish in the big final as compatriot Andreas Matt, who is now just ten points behind Victor Oehling Norberg in the standings, finished second.

Oehling Norberg had to settle for a disappointing ninth after being knocked out in the quarter-final stage, as the podium was completed by Switzerland's Armin Niederer.