AIS skier Katya Crema and Ski & Snowboard Australia athlete Sami Kennedy have both qualified for the head-to-head finals in a ski cross World Cup in Alpe d’Huez.

Crema skied to her fourth straight finals appearance, covering the French course in a time of one minute 8.42 seconds, 2.32 seconds slower than fastest qualifier Kelsey Serwa of Canada.

Kennedy was in 29th position, a further 0.5 of a second behind, reaching the second finals of her career.

The finals rounds will be contested tonight, Australian time.

Both women face tough opening head-to-head encounters, Crema coming up against six-time
World Cup champion Ophelie David and Kennedy facing current world number three Julia Murray.

Crema's AIS team-mate Jenny Owens has opted to miss the French event to focus on her Olympic preparation.