Liberec, Czech Republic - France led the way after ski-jumping in the world championship Nordic combined team event on Thursday in which the fancied United States met disaster and title holders Finland had to swallow a major handicap.

The first US jumper, normal hill bronze medallist Bill Demong, was disqualified as he forgot his bib. As a result, the team led by double world champion Todd Lodwick was out of contention in 12th and last place ahead of the afternoon 4x5-kilometres cross-country relay.

The US team trails France by 3 minutes 4 seconds into the pursuit race as the French won the jumping with 470.6 points. Jason Lamy Chappuis and Francois Braud sailed
127m each, Maxime Laheurte had 120.5m and Sebastien Lacroix 116.5m.

Olympic champions Austria were second and will start the relay eight seconds behind the French. Finland managed third place, 13 seconds behind, despite the illness-related absence of World Cup leader Anssi Koivuranta as Lauri Asikainen had the best jump of the competition with 136m.

Also in contention are Germany (17 seconds behind) and Japan (24) for the relay which starts at 1415 GMT. (dpa)