KRASNAYA POLYANA, Russia — Jean Frederic Chapuis led France’s first medals sweep in Winter Olympics history by taking gold in skicross, while Arnaud Bovolenta won silver and Jonathan Midol captured bronze.

The three quickly bolted ahead of the fourth finalist in Thursday’s race, Canada’s Brady Lehman. Lehman briefly passed Midol for the third position but wiped out two-thirds of the way down the mountain, meaning the French only had to stay upright to make history.

Additional Photos

Jean Frederic Chapuis, front right, Arnaud Bovolenta, front left, Jonathan Midol, all of France, background right, and Brady Leman of Canada, background left, compete in the men’s ski cross final at the 2014 Winter Olympics on Thursday. Chapuis won ahead of Bovolenta and Midol.
Jean Frederic Chapuis, front right, Arnaud Bovolenta, front left, Jonathan Midol, all of France, background right, and Brady Leman of Canada, background left, compete in the men’s ski cross final at the 2014 Winter Olympics on Thursday. Chapuis won ahead of Bovolenta and Midol. The Associated Press

They came to the line single-file, with Midol falling just before the stripe and crossing on his backside.

The French have mastered this course.

Earlier in the week, Pierre Vaultier won men’s snowboardcross to give his country its first Olympic victory in that sport’s version of side-by-side racing.

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