In the big final, she finished the 800 metres course 0.32 seconds ahead of Diana Cholenska of the Czech Republic to take the gold medal.

She triumphed before a good-sized crowd which was lured to the venue by glorious blue skies, although wind-chill meant temperatures dropped to seven degrees below zero. 

"The crowd was very cool, with so many people, I was really motivated by the fans and competing at home," said Krista.

"Not all my heats were good, but the final was great. 

"It's a crazy sport and anything can happen."

Russia's Vladislava Baliunkina took the bronze, 0.81 seconds behind Krista. 

Her compatriot Mariia Erofeeva had been one of the best performers in qualification but failed to finish.

Treatment to an injury meant the men's final was delayed. 

Erik Wahlberg of Sweden won the big final, overcoming a poor start in an event featuring 27 skiers and where the course dropped 159m from its original starting height of 1,950m. 

"I was third at the start and was feeling like it was over," he said. 

"But then I gained more and more speed.

“I was scrambling, then I gained 10 metres and overtook. 

"I got the inside lane and took the shortest route. 

"It's awesome to have a gold for Sweden."

He finished ahead of two Russians, Artem Bahzin, who was 0.21 seconds behind in silver, and Andrei Gorbachev. 

Gorbachev was a further 1.69 seconds back to make sure of the bronze.