Organisers adjusted the qualification format and delayed the scheduled start time twice in a bid to save today’s competition at the French resort.

But with the wind remaining strong, the Organising Committee (OC) agreed it was "impossible" to stage the event today.

A decision was therefore taken shortly before 11am CET to call off the third ski cross leg of the season.

"It is really unfortunate that we couldn’t have a safe race today because the OC put so much effort and work into the preparations and to even make this event possible, they had to really fight hard," said Klaus Waldner, FIS ski cross race director.

"I want to thank the organiser for their tremendous job and let’s pray for better weather tomorrow."

Men’s and women’s races remain scheduled tomorrow, with pre-heat qualification due to begin in the morning.

Swedish duo David Mobärg and Viktor Andersson will be looking to continue their fine starts to the season after they both won in Arosa in Switzerland earlier this week.

Swiss skier Fanny Smith, last season's overall runner-up, has 180 points to lead the women's standings.

Smith won the second contest in Arosa and was runner-up behind Sweden’s Alexandra Ebedo in the first.

After Val Thorens, the FIS Ski Cross World Cup is not scheduled to resume until January 15.