Kerr, Puckett Lead USA in Grindelwald
 

GRINDELWALD, Switzerland (March 6) - Americans Errol Kerr (Truckee, CA) and Casey Puckett (Aspen, CO) were among top qualifiers Thursday but were both eliminated in the opening round of a FIS World Cup ski cross in Grindelwald. Lars Lewen of Sweden won the men's, with Sasa Faric of Slovenia taking the women's race.

Kerr had qualified fourth but ran into challenges in his quarterfinal heat and did not advance. Puckett, meanwhile, was hit from behind in his quarterfinal. He was taken to a local hospital for observation and released.

Lewen's win on the men's side was his first of the season. Kraus, who was disqualified from the championship round and finished fourth, still had enough points to clinch the World Cup title.

Women's World Cup leader Ophelie David of France had her three-event win streak snapped, finishing fifth. She remained in the lead with teammate Meryl Boulangeat closing the gap in third. No U.S. women competed.

The circuit now heads to Meiringen-Hasliberg, Switzerland for an event Sunday, before the season finale in Valmalenco, Italy.

OFFICIAL RESULTS
FIS FREESTYLE WORLD CUP
Grindelwald, Switzerland
Ski cross

Men (32 qualify for finals)
1. Lars Lewen, Sweden
2. Davey Barr, Canada
3. Stanley Hayer, Canada
4. Tomas Kraus, Czech Republic
5. Ted Piccard, France
-
18. Errol Kerr, Truckee, CA
20. Casey Puckett, Aspen, CO
38 Jean Christophe Rudigoz, Ketchum, ID
68. Lloyd Tucker, Carbondale, CO

DNF
Jake Fiala, Breckenridge, CO

Women
1. Sasa Faric, Slovenia
2. Emilie Serain, Switzerland
3. Meryl Boulangeat, France
4. Noriko Fukushina, Japan
5. Ophelie David, France
-
No U.S. women competed