A TV insider has spoken out about a Channel 9 reporter’s trainwreck live cross from the Winter Olympics.

Danika Mason raised eyebrows by stumbling over her words repeatedly in an awkward live cross, prompting Karl Stefanovic to step in and defend his colleague.

Mason is in Italy for Nine’s coverage of the Milano Cortina Winter Olympics and has been fulfilling her duties on the Today show, recapping the sport headlines every morning.

But things took a turn on Wednesday morning when the accomplished presenter battled her way through a horror live cross as she struggled to read the sports bulletin.

Mason was speaking to Stefanovic and Jayne Azzopardi when she lost her train of thought while the panel discussed the price of coffee and Stefanovic described Mason as a frozen iguana.

She said: “The price of coffee over here is actually fine … it’s actually the price of coffee in the US we have to get used to … I’m not sure about the iguanas? Where are we going with that one?

Watch Danika Mason’s live cross in the video above

Danika Mason was struggling to get her words out. Photo: Nine.
“Anyway, let’s get into today’s sport because there’s plenty happening back home.”

Speaking to the Daily Telegraph a Channel 9 personality, who wished to remain anonymous, said Stefanovic and Azzopardi should have cut Mason off.

“Even if producers didn’t cut her off, Karl and Jayne (Azzopardi) have been in this game long enough to know she should not have been on air,” the source said.

“There’s an entire control room of staff who could have cut her from the broadcast.”

Today host Stefanovic did attempt to explain the situation, saying: “Ally (fellow host and former US correspondent Alison Piotrowski), you would have been familiar with this.

“You get out of a car over there (in Italy) and there is such a cold wind, you can’t actually move your lips,” Stefanovic said.

Mason could be seen giggling at Stefanovic’s comment before the camera cut away from Mason back to Nine’s Sydney studio.

The live cross sparked speculation on social media, with viewers inquiring about Mason’s condition on live TV.

News.com.au has contacted Nine for comment.

In an earlier live cross, Mason seemed composed and quipped: “I may look like I have a bit of dandruff, but I can promise you it’s just the snow.”

Mason also made snow angels for the camera in a clip that was shared to Nine’s social channels.

Danika Mason makes some snow angles. Photo: Instagram@Today.
Mason has been adding plenty of colour to Nine’s coverage of the Winter Olympics.

Snowboard sensation Valentino Guseli took her up the lift to the top of the jump for the big air events, where Mason confessed her fear of heights.

The Channel 9 host also showed where many Australians were celebrating their medal wins, taking a slippery dip down into a local watering hole in Livigno.

Mason took over from Alex Cullen as Today’s sports host last year after rising through the ranks at the network and impressing on Nine’s rugby league coverage.

The Australian media, including most of Channel 9’s contingent, has been based in the town of Livigno, where the snowboard and freestyle events have been held.

Heavy snow meant some events were postponed in the picturesque venue in northern Italy, with several Australians having to wait another day for their chance at a medal.

Four Australians — Danielle Scott, Abbey Wilcox, Airleigh Frigo and Sidney Stephens — will now compete in the women’s aerials qualification on Wednesday night.

Teenager Indra Brown will take part in the women’s snowboard slopestyle final around midnight Australian time.