Switzerland has won its fifth gold medal at the Winter Olympics with a victory in the women's parallel giant slalom in the snowboard event.

The 24-year-old top favourite, Daniela Meuli, won gold in the final by beating the German newcomer, Amelie Kober, who fell shortly after the start of the final heat.

Meuli, the defending world champion, went into the final run with a 0.21 second lead.

"I'm speechless," Meuli told Swiss television. "It was amazing. I was quite relaxed in the final. It was fun to ride in it."

Bronze was won by the American, Rosey Fletscher, and Switzerland's Ursula Bruhin finished seventh.

Of Switzerland's five gold medals, three have come in snowboarding events.

Tanja Frieden took first place in women's Boardercross, and Philipp Schoch captured the men's title in the parallel giant slalom on Wednesday. His brother Simon took silver.

swissinfo with agencies

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