SKI CROSS. The first of back-to-back races at the Audi FIS Ski Cross World Cup in Watles (ITA) finished with World Cup leaders Anna Holmlund (SWE) and Jean Frederic Chapuis (FRA) proving once again why they are atop the ski cross standings. the French team also made a statement that their slow start to the season is a thing of the past.

WATLES, ITALY, 17.JAN.16 - FREESTYLE SKIING - FIS World Cup, Ski Cross, ladies, men. Image shows Niki Lehikoinen (FIN), Arnaud Bovolenta (FRA), Marius Heje Maehle (NOR) and Thomas Zangerl (AUT). Photo: GEPA pictures / Oliver Lerch

After a tough weather day yesterday with high winds, Mother Nature was on the side of the racers today as everything proceeded as scheduled.

The ladies' competition saw top qualifier Kelsey Serwa (CAN) knocked out in her first finals heat, along with dangerous Ophelie David (FRA) and third-overall qualifier Daniela Maier (GER). Those early exits opened up the door for the likes of Holmlund, Andrea Limbacher (AUT), Alizee Baron (FRA) and Marte Hoeie Gjefsen (NOR) to make their way through to the finals.

Holmlund has been on a mission all season, making it through to the big final at every race and scoring a podium in all but one of those events. Saturday she was again true to form, winning both of her preliminary heats before cruising her way thought the big final on her way to her third win of 2015/16, with Baron taking second and Limbacher third.

It was Baron's third podium of the season, and even at this early stage it seems that she stands as the only legitimate threat to stopping Holmlund from securing her second-straight crystal globe. However, with 344 points, Baron sits 166 back of Holmlund's 510 on the season.

Limbacher, third on the day, also sits third in the standings, though with 282 points she has some serious ground to make up on the powerful Swede Holmlund.

On the men's side, the French team pulled off the improbable feat of a third podium sweep in three seasons, with Jean Frederic Chapuis, Sylvain Miaillier, and Jonas Devouassoux taking first, second, and third, respectively. German standout Daniel Bohnacker earned fourth place, his best result of the season.

Chapuis famously led a French sweep of the Sochi 2014 Olympic Winter Games, and then locked up his crystal globe last season. With their domination of the podium on Saturday in Watles, the French have reasserted themselves as the top team in ski cross, bar none.

Chapuis rolled into Saturday's finals starting from an uncharacteristically bad position, squeaking through qualifications with the 28th fastest time after registering four straight top qualification times before the holiday break. His skiing on Saturday, however, proved that his mistake in qualifying was just that, a mistake, as he and teammate Devouassoux rolled through all three preliminary heats together on their way to the finals.

In the big final Chapuis was challenged by his teammates, resulting in an incredible finish that saw all three French stretching out across the line. However, the top dog was able to hold his position, and with the win was able to move 100 points clear of fifth place finisher Brady Leman (CAN), with Chapuis sitting at 450 points to Leman's 350.

Action from Watles continues tomorrow with a first-ever for the Audi FIS Ski Cross World Cup tour, as a cancelled qualification round for Sunday's race has resulted in an expanded finals format wherein a round of 64 for the men and 32 for the ladies, grouped according to World Cup seeding, will start the finals proceedings.

FIS freestyle
16 January 2016 15:19

Thompson and Lenherr win second race in Watles

It was another exciting race day in Watles with Marielle Thompson (CAN) back on top of the podium and Jonas Lenherr (SUI) scoring his first-ever World Cup win.  The race provided spectacular emotions with plenty of incredible passes and tough fights to the finish

Yesterday, athletes had to deal with the strong side wind, today they faced heavy snowfall, making the conditions challenging again. With fresh snow accumulating on the course, choosing the right line was crucial. Andrea Limbacher, who finished third yesterday, was just one of the “bad line” victims. Leading her quarterfinal heat, she took the wrong side of the last jump, resulting in her early elimination.

Marielle Thompson finished the weekend with a big smile on her face, showing consistency all day. In the Big Final, Thomssom caught David Ophelie (FRA) and then took advantage of clinching Anna Holmlund (SWE) and Heidi Zacher (GER). She got ahead of both of them on the inside turn and kept the lead until the end.

“It’s really good to be back on top," said Thompson “We had some issues with the weather here, but at the end the organizers pulled off both races. Watles is a great course and I hope we can come back next year” she finished.

Holmlund finished the day in the second, earning another 80 points in the overall World Cup standings. After seven races, she has more than 200 points more than Alizee Baron (FRA).Third place went to Zacher, her second podium of the season.

On the men's side it was the Swiss duo of Jonas Lenherr and Alex Fiva going one and two, respectively. Lenherr scored his first-ever World Cup win and was nearly speechless after crossing the finish line. He stayed calm in the big final, first capitalizing on Brady Leman’s (CAN) mistake and then working his way through the roller section to pass his teammate Fiva.

“It was a great day today and it feels awesome to stand on the podium with Alex” said Lenherr. “I’m looking forward to the next race and hope I will be able to repeat my performance” he added.

Brady Leman rounded out the podium gaining ground on Jean Frederic Chapuis (FRA) in the World Cup standings. He now trails by only 60 points making things very interesting for next weekend's race in Nakiska (CAN).

The Audi FIS Ski Cross World Cup moves to North America for one race on Saturday in the traditional venue of Nakiska (CAN).

FIS freestyle
17 January 2016 18:10