Olympic champions Marielle Thompson of Canada and Frenchman Jean-Frédéric Chapuis won the opening events of the season ©Getty Images

Olympic champions Marielle Thompson of Canada and Frenchman Jean-Frédéric Chapuis both got their International Ski Federation (FIS) Ski Cross World Cup campaigns off to winning starts during the season-opening event in Val Thorens.

Thompson secured victory in a dramatic women's race, crossing the line in first place in the big final in front of Switzerland's Fanny Smith.

The duo benefitted from a crash involving Swedish pair Anna Holmlund and Sandra Naeslund, who looked to be heading towards a one-two finish.

On the last corner of the race, however, the two teammates touched boots and Holmlund then got knocked off her line and outside of a gate, before veering back onto the course and crashing first into Naeslund.

Thompson and Smith avoided the pile-up, while Naeslund was given third place as a result of Holmlund's missed gate.

"I came over that final step-down and just saw them crashing into each other,” Thompson, winner of the gold medal at the Winter Olympics in Sochi, said. 

“I didn’t know what was going to happen so I just tried to avoid all the people and get the win. 

"That’s ski cross, sometimes. 

"You get caught up with people and you crash.

“I would have been happy with the third, but a win is even better.”

Jean-Frédéric Chapuis powered to victory in the men's event ©Getty Images
Jean-Frédéric Chapuis powered to victory in the men's event ©Getty Images

Chapuis triumphed in the men's race on a course which bears his name following his success at Sochi 2014.

The formidable 27-year-old won every heat on his way to the big final, before he came home in top spot.

He was pushed all the way by Chris Delbosco of Canada, whose error allowed Chapuis' team-mate Sylvain Miaillier to pass him in the closing stages.

Miaillier held on for second, while Sweden's Victor Oehling Norberg was upgraded to third.

It came after Delbosco had initially finished third before he was dropped to fourth as he was deemed to have straddled the gate heading into the negative turn, resulting in his run being designated as a "did not finish".

"I’m so happy to win here at home in Val Thorens," Chapuis said.

"I feel like this is the best gift I can give to all the workers and the volunteers who make this race happen. 

"Every year it gets better and bigger and I’m so happy to be able to be able to perform for the people here.”

Action at the first Ski Cross World Cup event of the season continues tomorrow.