Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany – France was victorious over Austria Wednesday in the FIS Alpine World Ski Championships Nations’ Team Event in a tie-breaker. Cyprien Richard posted the fastest individual run time in the final to determine the victory by .28 over Austira’s Philipp Shoerghofer after the U.S. Ski Team was bumped in the quarterfinal by Italy and Canada was ousted by Croatia in the first round.nThe March Madness style event featured the top ski nations in the world in head-to-head competition on a shortened giant slalom course. The FIS is pushing for the event’s inclusion in the 2014 Olympic Winter Games in Sochi, Russia.

“I think it’s a cool event and I like the format. It’s fun to watch and it’s fun to race,” said U.S. racer Ted Ligety, of Park City, Utah. “It’d be interesting to see it in the Olympics. I think the team atmosphere is cool and we all enjoy that side of it.”

“It’s a really fun event, it’s good to be with the guys,” added Ligety’s American teammate, Julia Mancuso. “It’s one of those events where anything can happen so in that ways it’s cool. Winning a team event is nothing like winning an individual event but it’s still fun.”

The French team featured Tessa Worley, Taina Barioz, Anemone Marmottan, Thomas Fanara and Richard. Austria picked up the silver medal and Sweden claimed bronze.

Drawn against Croatia in the first round of the competition, Canada lost the deciding run when Banff’s Paul Stutz stumbled out of the start gate and lost by over three seconds to his rival, Croatia’s Zrncic-Dim. Croatia ultimately went out to Austria at the quarter-final stage.

“It was quick but it’s always fun at the team event,” said Canada’s Britt Janyk, who took part in the first run and tied Croatia’s Tea Palic.

“The atmosphere was fun. It’s always interesting to bring both genders together,” added Paul Kristofic, head coach of the Canadian men’s team. “But in the end it was a competition and everyone walked away disappointed.”

World Championships ski racing action continues Thursday with a return to a traditional individual ski racing format for the women’s giant slalom.

OFFICIAL RESULTS
2011 FIS Alpine World Ski Championships
Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany – February 16, 2011
Nations’ Team Event

Gold: France
Silver: Austria
Bronze: Sweden