Katya Crema of Australia, leads Karin Huttary of Austria. Image - Dan Himbrechts

In terrible conditions, with wet snow dumping down on the Snowboard and Ski Cross Stadium, Owens and Crema both won through from their heat, before both crossing the line in third place during their respective quarter-finals.

Owens skied an exceptional heat after qualifying in 15th place earlier in the day. Owens settled in behind Canadian Ashleigh McIvor, while the Spanish and Austrian skiers both struggled at the start of the course.

Owens' quarter-final was a tense affair, with the Australian just able to hang onto the back of the skis of McIvor and Norwegian Julie Brendengen-Jensen. She attempted to make up ground around the final turns but could not quite pull in the other two athletes, to finish in third place.

"I was lucky to be starting and getting down the hill was a bit of a challenge," Owens said. "I lost my speed halfway down and just couldn't catch up again.

"It's going to be good to go home and get some time off. It's been a really tough year and I guess I'm glad it's over. I've needed surgery for two years and I have been just trying to push through.

"I'm really lucky to be here and I guess I should be happy with that.

"I can't go out like this. I'm going to give it another year."

Meanwhile Crema drew heat two after finishing 17th during the qualifying phase and had a strong start in the heat, racing into first after the opening feature, before settling into second place halfway down the course. Crema was then momentarily overtaken by Swtizerland's Katrin Mueller, who was not able to keep her feet and did not finish the race, allowing Crema to cross in second place.

In her quarter-final Crema had another great start and held in second position through a third of the course before being passed. Austrian Karin Huttary and Swede Anna Holmlund moved through to the semi-finals.

Crema was ecstatic with her Olympic experience.

"It was great. Such amazing races. First heat was all over the place and tough racing from the girls," Crema said.

"I had a great start in the second heat (quarter-final). Unfortunately got passed but Im' still so happy. First Olympics and top 16, it's amazing."

Following the ranking classifications Owens finished in an overall place of 13th, while Crema was awarded 15th.

In the gold medal race four nations chased the three medals on offer, with Canadian McIvor facing Hedda Berntsen (Norway), Austrian Karin Huttary and Marion Josserand (France).

McIvor, cheered on by a throng of Canadians, did not disappoint as she raced down the hill and was never headed by her opposition. She crossed the line well clear of Berntsen, with Josserand taking the bronze medal.

Source - AOC

tags: olympic, features, feature, ski, cross, jenny, owens, katya, crema, cypress, mountain

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