Swede, Swiss win freestyle World Cup events

Associated Press

ARE, Sweden (AP) — Victor Oehling Norberg of Sweden won the freestyle skicross World Cup and Fanny Smith of Switzerland led the women's race on Saturday.

Backed by a partisan home crowd, Oehling Norberg won every heat. Sochi Olympics bronze medalist Jonathan Midol of France was second, his first World Cup podium, and Armin Niederer of Switzerland third. Niederer finished with a bloodied face after being caught by Daniel Bohnacker's ski.

Oehling Norberg's first win of the season lifted him to the top of the skicross standings on 445 points, followed by Andreas Matt of Austria with 384, and David Duncan of Canada on 361. With Alex Fiva of Switzerland less than 100 points behind in fourth, the discipline title was up for grabs with two races to go, the next on Sunday.

Smith took her win and third successive podium in a snowy final ahead of season leader Marielle Thompson of Canada, and teenager Sandra Naeslund of Sweden.

Thompson led the standings with 605 points, Smith was second on 550, and 26-time World Cup winner Ophelie David of France third on 452.