France dominates men's ski cross, sweeps all three medals

SOCHI, Russia, Feb. 20 (UPI) -- French skiers swept the men's ski cross at the Sochi Games, after completing their runs without a fall, while other favorites floundered on the course.

Jean-Frédéric Chapuis, not a favorite to win, won gold and was followed by his teammates Arnaud Bovolenta and Jonathan Midol, who won the silver and bronze respectively. The four-skier final had the three French skiers pitted against Canadian Brady Leman. Leman did not get the start he wanted and had a fall late in the race.

“It’s my first podium,” Midol said. “First podium for Arnaud too. We are not like every World Cup at the top. I hope it is getting better. It is not so big in France.

Midol's brother Bastien Midol, who won silver medal at the World Championships in 2013 and was considered a contender for a medal, crashed last December and could not participate.

John Teller of the U.S. was the only American in the field, who fell in the first knockout heat and did not advance.

[LATimes] [NYT]