The 26-year-old eccentric, who said he was feeling excellent in Sochi after a below-par season, entered the semi-finals with a victory in his quarter-finals group but crashed in the battle for the final.

Despite feeling he had fractured one of his ribs, Flisar skied in the small final, finishing second to clinch sixth place. He thus improved on the 8th place from Vancouver four years ago.

France meanwhile celebrated a triple victory. Gold went to Jean Frederic Chapuis, silver to Arnaud Bovolenta and bronze to Jonathan Midol.