Romain Desgranges banished his World Games disappointment as he qualified for the lead final in pole position ©IFSC/Eddie Fowke

Romain Desgranges began his recovery from his World Games disappointment by qualifying for the lead final in pole position at the International Federation of Sport Climbing (IFSC) World Cup in Briançon.

Desgranges, who missed out on a medal at the World Games in the Polish city of Wrocław, delighted his home crowd in the French commune with an assured display.

He finished at the top of the pile following this evening's semi-final, where eight climbers booked their place in tomorrow's final.

Sebastian Halenke of Germany qualified in second place, in front of Japan's Masahiro Higuchi.

Slovenia’s Janja Garnbret comes into the competition in Briançon on the back off two consecutive victories and she again showed good form in the women's event.

The women's final will also be held tomorrow ©Eddie Fowke/IFSC
The women's final will also be held tomorrow ©Eddie Fowke/IFSC

Garnbret reached the top of the wall along with South Korea's Jain Kim and Belgium's Anak Verhoeven in a three-way tie at the summit of the leaderboard after the semi-final.

Verhoeven is also hoping to continue her successful run after she took lead gold at the World Games.

Jessica Pilz of Austria was the next best qualifier in fourth, while two French athletes - Julia Chanourdie and Romain Salome - also did enough to ensure they will get the chance to compete for the gold medal.

The IFSC World Cup in Briançon concludes with the men's and women's finals tomorrow.

The French commune has held a lead event since 2011.