ROSA KHUTOR, Russia —Jean-Frederic Chapuis won gold in a helter-skelter ski cross competition Thursday as France secured its first ever podium clean sweep at a Winter Olympic Games. Reigning world champion Chapuis edged out Arnaud Bovolenta while Jonathan Midol took bronze, despite crossing the line on his backside. The only skier capable of preventing a French sweep in the four-man final was Canada's Brady Leman but he fell just before the penultimate jump, trying desperately to claw back a position from the back of the field. France — with 14 medals overall — now has its highest medal count at a Winter Games. Chapuis was involved in a battle royale at the front with Bovolenta, with the lead changing hands several times. After failing to win a medal at the Vancouver Olympics, the country that spawned Nordic combined more than 125 years ago made quite a comeback in Sochi. Norway won its second gold medal in three days after taking Thursday's large hill team event. That gave the Scandinavian country its fourth medal of the Games in three events. Norwegians Joergen Graabak and Magnus Moan finished one-two in the large hill Tuesday while teammate Magnus Krog took the bronze in the normal hill. On Thursday, cross-country ski specialist Moan made up a 25-second deficit on the first leg and Norway outdueled Germany and defending champion Austria in the relay in which each team member skied 5 kilometers. Norway, where soldiers first competed informally in ski jumping and cross-country skiing in the late 1800s, finished the relay in 47 minutes, 13.5 seconds. All eyes will be on the evening finale of the women's figure skating contest at the Winter Olympics Thursday, but Russia's human rights record and its role in the crisis in neighboring Ukraine succeeded in diverting the world's gaze. The International Olympic Committee said some Ukrainian athletes had decided to leave Sochi for home, where at least 67 people have died in anti-government protests. A team official said Alpine skier Bogdana Matsotska and her father, who is also her coach, had pulled out, although it was not immediately clear if others had joined them. Turmoil at home has never been far from the minds of the Ukrainian team, and some athletes asked for permission Wednesday to wear black arm bands while competing in order to honor those killed. Policemen were among the dead. The IOC said it had not stopped athletes from doing so, but that the team had made the decision itself. In early free-skate action Thursday, Japanese two-time world champion Mao Asada ended her Olympic career in tears after a tumble the previous day cost her the chance of an elusive gold medal. The women's ice hockey final will again feature Canada, which has won the past three gold medals, against the United States, the winner of four of the past five world titles. All-conquering Canada won its first Olympic women's curling gold since 1998, defeating Sweden 6-3 to avenge its defeat in the final on home ice at the Vancouver Games. Skipped by Jennifer Jones, who took to the rink appropriately wearing golden eye shadow, Canada ended Sweden's hopes of a third successive Olympic title. World champion Britain sealed bronze with a 6-5 win over Switzerland to ensure the country's most successful Winter Olympic Games since Chamonix, France, in 1924. Britain has three medals in Sochi — one gold and two bronze — and is assured of at least a silver when its curlers face Canada in the men's final Friday. — Agencies
