Rolland leads French clean sweep at halfpipe skiing World Cup

Kevin Rolland (centre) led home a French clean sweep in the men's halfpipe event ©Getty Images

Qualification leaders and Olympic medallists Kevin Rolland and Devin Logan won the respective male and female halfpipe finals at the Audi Quattro Winter Games NZ 2015, with each event doubling as the International Ski Federation World Cup season-opener.

Rolland, who won a halfpipe bronze at Sochi 2014, produced a superb first-run of 92.00 to continue the form he has shown throughout the week.

Compatriot Thomas Krief placed second in 90.40 at the Cardrona Alpine Resort, edging out Benoit Valenti to complete the first ever French clean sweep at a FIS World Cup halfpipe event.

“It couldn’t have worked out better for us," said the winner afterwards.

"A French podium was a goal but we tried not to focus too much on it.

"I stomped my first run, which is pretty rare.

"Normally I have a hard time dealing with the pressure, so landing it was definitely a confidence boost.

"From there, I was able to alter my runs according to the competition, we couldn’t be happier to land the one, two, three.”

Home hope Beau-James Wells, the only Kiwi in the final, had challenged in the qualification round before taking one risk too many in the final and crashing out with three falls.

United States' Devin Logan en route to women's halfpipe victory ©Getty Images

Sochi 2014 slopestyle silver medallist Devin Logan was more successful in the women's event, scoring 83.20 to stay ahead of her rivals throughout.

New Zealand did enjoy some medal success however as Janina Kuzma finished second, while Ayana Onozuka of Japan was third.

“It feels great to win,” said Logan.

“This is the first competition before the Northern Hemisphere season starts up so it’s awesome to put some runs down.

"Everyone’s killing it and putting down some solid runs.

“I added in an alley-oop flat 5 which is a new one for me so I was glad to get it in the competition atmosphere.

"Thankfully, I landed my first run since I fell on my second and third so I’m glad that worked out!”

World Cup action will continue with slopestyle finals on Saturday (August 29th), while snowboarding halfpipe finals are scheduled for Sunday (August 30).