Ski-cross deserves its Olympic status and will offer a spectacular show at next year’s Vancouver Games, says France’s Ophelie David, the exciting young sport’s undisputed queen.

Four skiers hurtle down a twisty, bumpy track shoulder-to-shoulder with winners of heats eventually progressing to the final.

The sport will be making its Olympic debut two years after its Summer Games equivalent, BMX or bicycle motocross, successfully did so in Beijing.