Australian skier Jenny Owens has slipped one rung down the world rankings to fifth position after finishing in eighth place in a ski cross World Cup in Sierra Nevada, Spain..

Owens qualified in sixth position, then won her quarter final head-to-head round, helping to eliminate fellow Australian Katya Crema in the process.

The former Salt Lake 2002 Olympian fell in her semi-final round, and then pulled out of the small final to determine fifth to eighth placings.

The event was won by the dominant woman on the circuit, French skier Ophelie David, with Hedda Berntsen of Norway in second place and Katrin Ofner of Austria in third.

David leads the World Cup standings on 401 points after winning four of the five events contested this season, and is on track to win the fifth title of her career.

Her compatriot Meryl Boulangeat is in second place on 305 points, while Owens has dropped from fourth to fifth on 214 points.

Crema, who finished in 11th position, is in 18th place on the World Cup standings on 55 points, after contesting just three of the five events.

“I had a big fall in the semi-finals where I injured my (already injured) shins,” Owens said.

“I tried to start the small final but pulled out after the first jump because they were too sore, I just couldn’t push against the front of my boots and I didn't want to risk hurting them more than I already had.”

“So overall I finished up eighth and am still in the top five in the world.”

“My goal was to be placed in the top five by the end of the season so a few more good results will secure this.”

“Katya Crema came alone to this World Cup as well so it was nice to have another Aussie there! She did well in her qualifying, placing tenth, but unfortunately that meant we were to compete against each other.”

“Kat ended up 11th overall which is great as she is improving every comp with more and more experience.”