Place powers to the front to win World Championship gold

The 29-year-old Frenchman landed awkwardly into the first steep in the ski cross final but managed to surge into the lead on the first corner, where he stayed for the rest of the race in Utah.

Canadians Brady Leman and Kevin Drury fell in behind him, with Switzerland's Alex Fiva trailing behind.

It would finish in that order, despite the Swiss threatening to break into the podium positions, as Olympic champion Leman took silver and his compatriot bronze.

Place, who swapped to ski cross from the alpine tour three seasons ago, said: "It was an incredible race.

"It was a little tough this morning with the weather and the wind, but in the end it was a great day. To be the champ, it's cool."

Sportsbeat 2019