Matti Suur-Hamari won on home snow today in Pyha ©Getty Images

Finland's Matti Suur-Hamari claimed a home victory as snowboard cross was held for the first time this season at the World Para Snowboard World Cup in Pyha.

The reigning world champion triumphed in the SB-LL2 category as he beat American Evan Strong into silver medal position in the big final.

Britain's Owen Pick won bronze as he beat Japan's Gurimu Narita to small final honours.

"The racing was really tight, it’s good to start snowboard-cross season like this," Suur-Hamari said. 

"Everyone in the top 10 in our class can win the race. 

"We are so close to each other."

Today's action lays a marker down in the Pyeongchang 2018 Paralympic season.

France's Cecile Hernandez-Cervellon topped the podium for the first time in the SB-LL1 after two second places in banked slalom at the last World Cup leg in Landgraaf in The Netherlands.

Today's winners celebrate their victories at the Finnish resort ©IPC
Today's winners celebrate their victories at the Finnish resort ©IPC

She defeated American world champion Brenna Huckaby for the gold medal with Amy Purdy winning an all United States battle with Nicole Roundy for bronze.

"I think it was one of my best races since I’ve been racing," Hernandez-Cervellon said. 

"I'm cold but I'm very happy."

Simon Patmore of Australia won the men's SB-UL, seeing off France's Maxime Montaggioni for gold.

Canada's Curtis Minad took bronze as he saw off Italy's Manuel Pozzerle in the small final.

An all-American affair in the men's SB-LL1 big final went the way of Mike Schultz over Noah Elliot.

Austria's Reinhold Schett beat Japan's Daichi Oguri for bronze.

In the women's SB-LL2, Dutchwoman Lisa Bunschoten defeated American Brittani Coury to clinch the top step on the podium.

Australia’s Joany Badenhorst got the better of the Spain's Astrid Fina Paredes for bronze.

More snowboard cross action will conclude the World Cup tomorrow.