The 21-year-old Manali resident clinched bronze in the coveted Alpine Ejder 3200 Cup organised by the Federation Internationale de Ski - skiing's international governing body - at the Palandoken Ski Centre in Erzurum, Turkey. She won the medal in the slalom race category.

Roshan Thakur, Aanchal's father and the secretary general of Winter Games Federation of India (WGFI), was elated. "This is a breakthrough for the sport in India and the entire skiing fraternity is proud of her achievement," he said.

Sports minister Rajyavardhan Rathore took to Twitter to congratulate Aanchal: "Congrats Aanchal Thakur for the Slalom Skiing Bronze in the FIS International Skiing Competition in Turkey. India opens account by a first ever medal in skiing. Well done!"

Source : DD