By Michael Pavitt

Canada's Dominique Maltais secured victory in the women's competition ©Getty ImagesCanada's Dominique Maltais and Australia's Alex Pullin were victorious in the International Ski Federation (FIS) Snowboard Cross World Cup in Veysonnaz, Switzerland.


Maltais the defending women's World Cup champion, enjoyed a superb day of the slopes, comfortably taking victories in her quarter and semi-final runs.

But in the final, the 34-year-old Canadian, who is set to retire at the end of the season, was forced to see off competition from France's Nelly Moenne Loccoz, with the two women separated by a photo finish.

"I'm really happy about the win," Maltais said.

"I wanted to take it easy this year because it's my last World Cup season but I always want to finish on the podium."

Moenne Loccoz disappointment at a second place finish will have been eased by the knowledge that she now leads the overall World Cup standings with 1,600 points, with Italy's Michela Moioli lying second 100 points adrift with only one race remaining of the season.

The podium in the women's race was completed by another Frenchwoman, Chloe Trespeuch, while home favourite Sandra Daniela Gerber of Switzerland finished fourth.

Australia's Alex Pullin dominated all of his races in the men's event ©Getty ImagesAustralia's Alex Pullin dominated all of his races in the men's event ©Getty Images



Pullin proved to be unbeatable on his way to victory in the men's competition, securing victory in every round.

The 27-year-old, Australia's flag bearer at last year's Winter Olympics in Sochi, finished ahead of World Cup leader Lucas Eguibar of Spain and Canada's Kevin Hill, second and third respectively.

Eguibar's second placed finish sees him move onto 1,800 points in the World Cup standings and he now has a 600 point buffer over Hill ahead of the final race of the season on March 21 in La Molina, Spain.

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