Intro:

Finland's Roope Tonteri successfully defended his big air world title, while Switzerland's Elena Koenz won the inaugural women's competition at the Snowboard World Championships in Kreischberg on Saturday (January 24).

Script:

It's the Snowboard World Championships, the host Kreischberg in Austria.

The ladies had their inaugural big air competition and it was Swiss duo Sina Candrian and Elena Koenz who immediately found their form.

Third down on run one of the ladies' final and Candrian earned solid points with this jump.

Koenz followed her - and powered into the lead.

That order was maintained at the end of run two.

In the third Merika Enne made her big move.

Her first jump didn't score - but then the Finn nailed a superb second and third to earn the silver.

Koenz took the gold.

Candrian had to settle for third.

In the men's final American Kyle Mack opened strongly.

Darcy Sharpe made a late surge from fifth to overhaul Mack at the top with this jump.

But then the Canadian had to make way for the master - Roope Tonteri.

The Finn successfully defended his big air world title.

Sharpe came second.

Mack - third.