The 33-year-old from Sydney’s Northern Beaches was up to the challenge in a strong field, as she laid down the 11th fastest time in seeding to progress straight to the 1/8 finals.

Sami won both her 1/8 final and quarter-final to be full of confidence heading into the semi-finals. After finishing fourth in the semi she went straight into the small final to round out her Beijing campaign in eighth place.

Heavy snowfall came through Genting Snow Park during the afternoon finals, and while it looked to cause some upsets Sami thought it’s all part of the sport she loves.

“Anything can happen when you’re in an outdoor sport. It’s not a controlled environment and mother nature definitely showed up to play today,” Sami said.

Now a triple Olympian, she was pleased to deliver another strong performance and continues to inspire a new generation of winter athletes.

“At any point when you can just be making it through rounds, showing up and fighting, and doing the best that you can - you can’t be disappointed when you’re putting in 100% effort.

“Whilst I'm sure I’ll go back and watch this race, I will look at the things that happened in that semi-final and I’ll replay it and relive it for a while… I’m really proud of the effort and the result, as the number doesn’t always dictate the journey.

“It’s been a pleasure today to be here.”

A veteran of the Australian Team now she had nothing but praise for her fellow Aussies along with the Beijing Organising Committee, in what has been a unique Olympic Games.

“Within Team Australia we have had probably the best Games ever. More than ever is our team unified, we are so committed to each other and supporting each other.

“I think the Chinese are doing a fantastic job with these Games. These volunteers are happy to see you and it’s day 23 of these Games and they have had to go through so much, 21 days of quarantine to come into these Olympics and they have to do 21 days of quarantine to come out of the olympics… and they have made these Olympics so beautiful and I am so happy,” she said.

The event finished with Sweden’s two-time world champion Sandra Naesland taking gold, followed by Marielle Thompson of Canada with silver and Daniela Maier from Germany claiming bronze. It was the first time since ski cross was introduced to the Olympic Games in 2010 that the event was not won by Canada.

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