By Freddy Perryman, U.S. Ski Team

GRINDELWALD, Switzerland -– X Games champion John Teller of Mammoth Lakes just missed the podium, finishing fourth in Thursday’s World Cup skicross race in Grindelwald. World Championship bronze medalist Andreas Matt of Austria topped the men’s field, while Norway’s Marte Hoeie Gjefsen won the women’s race.

Teller, who qualified 14th, fought his way through the finals bracket, finishing second in each heat behind World Champion Chris Del Bosco of Canada, earning himself a spot in the final four.

Teller has been having a strong season. He has qualified for the finals in all but one World Cup, with two podium finishes, including a win at St. Johann, Austria.

Patrick Duran of Fayson, Vt., skied his way into his second World Cup finals after qualifying ninth. Duran finished in third in the quarterfinals, ending a career best 19th.

Matt has been on a tear this season, on the podium in six out of the eight World Cups with two wins. Joining Matt on the podium was World Championship silver medalist Jouni Pellinen from Finland in second with Del Bosco third.

Joining Norway’s Gjefsen was Ophelie David of France in second and Heidi Zacher of Germany third.

Teller currently sits fifth in the World Cup skicross standings with 254 points, just nine points behind Canada’s Nick Zoricic. Thursday’s winner Matt tops the leader board with 599 points.

Official results, FIS World Cup, Grindelwald, Switzerland, Skicross

Men

1. Andreas Matt, Switzerland

2. Jouni Pellinen, Finland

3. Chris Del Bosco, Canada

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4. John Teller, Mammoth Lakes, CA

19. Patrick Duran, Fayson, VT

Women

1. Marte Hoeie Gjefsen, Norway

2. Ophelie David, France

3. Heidi Zacher, Germany