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The first gold medal of the day was been secured and we will see the second won in the next little while too.

That's because it is almost time for the men's aerials final.

The final is split into two phases with the top six after two jumps progressing to Final 2, where one more jump with decide who takes the medals...

Graham Bell
Five-time Olympic skier on BBC One

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Daniela Maier - a controversial bronze medal four years ago but there was no doubt that that was a gold medal performance from the German.

Absolutely incredible, so good. The Germans are over the moon - absolutely ecstatic.

Big move from Fanny Smith to move into second but Daniela Maier still holds the lead...

Away they go and Daniela Maier moves into the early lead.

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Canada's Marielle Thompson, who has not long returned from injury, and went out in the quarters is the only finalist from four years ago not to make it to the medal race again.

She's replaced by another Marielle, France's Marielle Berger Sabbatel.

But for Germany's Daniela Maier, world champion Fanny Smith of Switzerland and reigning Olympic champion Sandra Naeslund of Sweden, this is nothing new.

You would expect the medals will be split between that trio but anything can happen in ski cross so Berger Sabbatel has a chance.

Here we go...

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Team GB's Gus Kenworthy finished ninth in men's freeski halfpipe qualifying this morning to reach the final at 18:30 GMT.

He spoke to our reporter Katie Falkingham in Livigno afterwards.

On his qualification runs: "I feel good, I'm happy to have put one down, I played it safe in my first run but put down a run that I knew I'd be able to land cleanly, not a super technical run but I felt it was enough to get me through today.

On what we can expect from him in tonight's finals: "I have more in the locker.

"Second run I tried to practice a little with the two 14s, but I definitely want to put those together along with some other stuff and keep the amplitude up."

There will be a 'small final' at 12:10 GMT to determine places fifth to eight... but the medals will be decided in the 'big final' at 12:15 GMT.

Not long to wait and if the previous Olympic final is anything to go by, prepare yourself for drama...

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Plenty of talent but it's the big two who go through to the final.

Sweden's Sandra Naeslund led from start to finish and the defending champ just beats Fanny Smith to the line.

Smith was under pressure from Italy's Jole Galli of Italy for a time but the Swiss advances relatively comfortably in the end.

It means two of the three medallists from four years ago are into the final, plus Daniela Maier who was awarded bronze then had it taken away.

Chemmy Alcott
Four-time Olympic alpine ski racer on BBC One

It's not an incredibly difficult course, it's not very fast because of this new snow, but the work ethic the athletes have to put in - you've got to charge out.

Get out there and get in front.

They're so agile with their lower body.

Absolutely dominant from Daniela Maier.

The 29-year-old German is a cut above in the first semi-final and wins it at a canter.

Behind her, though, it goes right down to the wire between France's Marielle Berger Sabbatel and Talina Gantenbein of Switzerland... and Berger Sabbatel is through to the final after a photo finish.

This second semi-final is loaded with talent. This should be a cracker...

Chemmy Alcott
Four-time Olympic alpine ski racer on BBC One

This is the Winter Olympics answer to gladiator combat.

It's like a supermarket sweep on Black Friday on skis, with very sharp edges and you're all going for the same tin of beans.

It's absolutely ruthless.

There's no messing around with this ski cross competition. Quarter-finals done, moments later, the semis begin...

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Defending champion Sandra Naeslund has looked very impressive so far in this competition.

Once again the Swede hits the front early and leaves the rest trailing in her wake.

While she eases over the line, there is a scrap for second behind her with Italy's Jole Galli just edging Katrin Ofner of Austria.

The semi-finals will be starting very shortly.

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Switzerland's Fanny Smith comes out on top in a very close third quarter-final.

The world champion led from early on but was never able to put any real distance between herself and the rest of the field.

No panic from Smith, though, and she cruises over the line in first with France's Jade Grillet Aubert winning the battle for second.

Image source, EPA

Easy as you like for Germany's Daniela Maier, who belatedly had the bronze medal taken away from her in Beijing, as she breezes through in the first quarter-final.

The manner is which she lost that medal more than a year after standing on the podium, following the decision to rescind the yellow card awarded to Fanny Smith, will have hurt but she is giving herself every chance of getting her Olympic medal this time.

France's Marielle Berger Sabbatel is through in second in that first quarter.

In the second quarter-final, it's two of the three Swiss riders who progress - Talina Gantenbein takes it from Sixtine Cousin.

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It is absolute scenes for Ireland's Benjamin Lynch, who is just one of four athletes representing his country at Milano-Cortina!

He progresses to the final with a much-improved second run score of 75.75, which saw him secure 11th place in the qualification standings.

Here's the full list of qualifiers:

1. Brendan Mackay (Canada) - 92.75
2. Nick Goepper (USA) - 90.00
3. Henry Sildaru (Estonia) - 88.00
4. Alex Ferreira (USA) - 85.75
5. Hunter Hess (USA) - 85.00
6. Birk Irving (USA) - 84.25
7. Andrew Longino (Canada) - 83.50
8. Dylan Marineau (Canada) - 82.25
9. Gus Kenworthy (Great Britain) - 81.25
10. Seunghun Lee (Korea) - 76.00
11. Benjamin Lynch (Ireland) - 75.75
12. Ben Harrington (New Zealand) - 75.25

Jenny Jones
Olympic bronze medallist snowboarder on BBC One

Gus is one of the most naturally talented skiers and I wouldn't put anything past him once he puts his mind to it.

From seeing the way he was skiing there - the amplitude he was getting and those switch tricks.

Could he sneak on that podium? I think he's got an outside chance but with the way he rode today, it was really exciting to see and I can't believe how naturally talented he is.

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Great Britain's Gus Kenworthy has done it!

The 34-year-old, who is the oldest competitor in the event, seals his spot in the final with a solid first-run score of 81.25.

The former Olympic slopestyle silver medallist will be super happy with his qualification performance. He came ninth and is one step closer to one last taste of Olympic glory!

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The quarter-final line-up has now been set and all the big hitters are safely through.

World champion Fanny Smith had to settle for second in her heat but the Swiss was right there and seemed content just to book her place in the next round.

Germany's Daniela Maier, former Olympic champion Marielle Thompson of Canada and Sweden's defending champion Sandra Naeslund all cruise through as well.