The course features a standing start, so each pilot had to fly one run, land and then fly again once everyone else had had their first run.

Šonka's first run was his fastest with no penalties and meant that he topped the qualifying standings with a time of 1min 4.751sec.

His closest rival was Juan Velarde of Spain, 0.475 seconds behind him in second.

Australian Matt Hall was over a second behind Šonka in a time of 1:05.226 but it was still good enough for third.

France’s Nicolas Ivanoff struggled in free practice but managed a second run of 1:06.149 to take fourth place in qualifying.

Reigning world champion Yoshihide Muroya of Japan was fifth in 1:06.273.

Home favourite, Michael Goulian of the United States was quickest in both practice sessions but could only manage eighth place in qualifying.

Round of 14 for master class is due to start tomorrow culminating in the final four taking to the course at approximately 3pm local time.

In the challenger class, South African Patrick Davidson topped qualifying in his debut season.

His time of 1:10.886 was enough to go ahead of Germany’s Florian Berger.

Berger is the defending challenger class champion and was 0.059 seconds behind in qualifying.

Italy’s Dario Costa was third in a time of 1:11.459.