Snowboarding Moioli claims gold after dramatic snowcross final

PYEONGCHANG, South Korea (Reuters) - Italy's Michela Moioli clinched Olympic gold at the end of a dramatic snowboard cross final at Pyeongchang's Phoenix Snow Park on Friday.

France's 16-year-old Julia Pereira de Sousa Mabileau won silver, while Sochi gold medalist Eva Samkova of the Czech Republic claimed bronze.

Moioli, the current World Cup leader, just managed to get her board in front of the other five riders in a thrilling conclusion to clinch the gold by centimeters.

American Lindsey Jacobellis, in her fourth Olympics and chasing her first gold medal, could only manage fourth.

The format saw the top three riders from each quarter-final and the then semi-finals, with six competitors eventually contesting the final.

Sochi champion Samkova finished first in seeding and looked a strong candidate to defend her title. Her compatriot Vendula Hopjakova was less fortunate, as she was stretched off with a knee injury during seeding.

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