Sandra Näslund Disqualified After Losing Ski in Val di Fassa World Cup

Swedish skicross star Sandra Näslund was disqualified during the World Cup event in Val di Fassa, Italy, a critical moment in her Olympic preparation. According to Swedish national team coach Eric Iljans, Näslund lost one of her skis during the quarter-finals, which led to her disqualification as competition rules prohibit racing without both skis. Fortunately, she was unharmed in the incident.

The disqualification came as a surprise during what has been an impressive season for Näslund. She has dominated the World Cup circuit so far with five victories and one third-place finish, firmly establishing her as a top Olympic gold contender for Sweden.

While some reports mention the disqualification occurred in the round of 16, coach Iljans confirmed it was during the quarter-finals. Regardless, this setback marks a rare blemish in an otherwise stellar season for the 29-year-old athlete. Despite this disappointment, Näslund remains physically intact and focused on upcoming competitions as she continues her push towards the Winter Olympics.

Näslund’s performance this season underscores her status as a formidable competitor in skicross, making the disqualification an unfortunate but pivotal event in her Olympic buildup.