Aline Rocha: Brazil's 1st champion in Paralympic Ski World Cup

Brazilian Aline Rocha on Tuesday (Jan. 24) won gold in the fast race (sprint) at the Paralymmpic Cross-Country Ski World Cup, in Ostersund (Sweden). The athlete - who had won a bronze on Sunday (22) - set the best time (3min10s38) in a distance of 1 kilometer, leaving behind American Kendall Gretsch (3min11s67) and German Anja Wicker (3min13s35).

Another Brazilian climbed the podium, namely Cristian Ribera, paralympic world vice-champion, third place in the men's 1 km sprint. He took bronze finishing the race in 2min45s34. The winner of the race was Kazakh Yerbol Khamitov (2min44s23), and silver was Ukrainian Taras Rad (2min45s07).

Brazil also had 19-year-old Elena Souza - a first-timer in international competitions - in the women's sprint race. She finished in ninth place in the qualifying round.

In the men's race, two other Brazilians did not pass the qualifying round: Guilherme Rocha finished in 14th place, and Wesley Vinícius dos Santos in 18th.

The competitions will continue until January 29, with live online streaming on the International Ski Federation (ISF) Facebook account.