Five-time world champion Simone Origone set the fastest top speed in round one of the World Speed Skiing Championships ©Getty Images

Italy’s five-time world champion Simone Origone qualified for the semi-finals of the International Ski Federation Speed Ski World Championships today by setting the highest top speed in the French resort of Vars.

In the first round of the men’s competition, the 40-year-old, who is also the world record holder, hit a top speed of 210.650 kilometres per hour.

With two rounds to go, that result will no doubt give the Italian confidence that he can reach the top of the podium once again.

He has not won the title since 2013 in the same resort.

Finishing just behind him was Austria’s Klaus Schrottshammer, who set a top speed of 208.454 km/h, while Frenchman Simon Billy ended third.

He hit a top speed of 208.092 km/h.

Simone Origone is the speed skiing world record holder ©Getty Images
Simone Origone is the speed skiing world record holder ©Getty Images

The defending champion Bastian Montes, another Frenchman, finished sixth, clocking 206.068 km/h.

Out of 43 athletes, 25 have advanced to the next round.

Among a much smaller field, topping women’s qualifying was Sweden’s Britta Backlund, who recorded 203.966 km/h.

The 23-year-old overall World Cup leader finished just ahead of compatriot Lisa Hovland-Uden, who managed 203.735 km/h.

Italy’s Valentina Greggio, who is second in the World Cup rankings, finished third with a top speed of 202.134 km/h.

The semi-finals and finals will take place tomorrow.