Sami Kennedy-Sim has equalled her best Olympic performance, finishing a very credible eighth place in the ski cross event at the Beijing Winter Games.

It matches her performance in PyeongChang, where she also made the small final.

"You can't be disappointed when you're putting in 100 per cent effort," Kennedy-Sim said.

"Whilst I am sure I will go back and watch this race and I will look at the things that happened in that semi-final and I will replay that and re-live it for a while, the beauty of ski cross is that the sport keeps moving.

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"You can have someone so close and then all of a sudden something happens so what's a fifth or an eighth?

"It's been really a pleasure today, to be here."

In driving snow that made visibility difficult for athletes and spectators alike, Kennedy-Sim — who was seeded 11th after the qualifying rounds earlier in the day — capitalised on strong starts to win both her 1/8 final and quarter final race.

However, a mistake early in the semi-final meant that Kennedy-Sim trailed the rest of the field and was out of contention, although a coming together had the 33-year-old dreaming of emulating an Australian sporting legend.

In the small final, Kennedy-Sim fell behind a trio of Canadians early in the race and was unable to make up the distance, meaning Katya Crema's seventh place in Sochi remains Australia's best finishing position in the event.

"It's tough competition," Kennedy-Sim said. "At any given day, anyone can land on the podium in this sport. It's fierce, and I'm so proud to be part of that."

Best Games ever

Beijing is Kennedy-Sim's third Olympics, but COVID-19 regulations have made this a Winter Olympic Games like no other.

However, one of Australia's most-experienced competitors echoed comments from other athletes who said it had brought the team closer together.

"Within team Australia, we've had probably the best Games ever, more than ever is our team unified, we are so committed to each other and supporting each other," she said.

"We were here in November and we had a great experience for the test event and I would come back here, tenfold. This place is amazing."

Sandra Naeslund, of Sweden — who has dominated the World Cup circuit so far this season — claimed gold in an exceptional display of skiing.

Naeslund, who has won nine of the 10 World Cup events this year, never trailed over the course of her five trips down the course at the Genting Snow Park, winning qualification by nearly two seconds and then winning each of her heats.

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"I've been asking myself all season, 'Why is Sandra Naeslund so fast'," Kennedy-Sim said. "I can't figure it out!

"She's a fierce competitor and a fantastic person … she is unstoppable. I'm really proud to be fighting against her each week."

Marielle Thompson of Canada claimed silver and Daniela Maier won bronze, after a controversial final.

After a lengthy delay, the judges relegated Switzerland's Fanny Smith — who initially crossed the line third — for interference.