Australian snowboarding champion Scotty James produced what he described as "one of the best moments of my competitive career" to clinch his 10th World Cup victory at the Laax Open in Switzerland.
The two-time Olympic medallist began a best-of-two-run halfpipe final with a score of 88.75 points, then unleashed a mind-spinning run that included a switch frontside triple cork 1440 en route to posting a score of 95.75 on Sunday (AEDT).
James, who is expected to be among Australia's top performers at the Winter Olympics in Italy next February, took the win in Laax ahead of Japanese riders Ruka Hirano (93.75 points) and Ayumu Hirano (87.00), the latter of whom is the reigning Olympic champion.
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"I think it might be one of the best moments of my competitive career," said James, who took gold at the Laax Open for the fourth time.
"It's always challenging to win, but this year I feel like I have been put on the ropes quite a bit from the other competitors, especially the Japanese. They are riding incredible.
Scotty James celebrates his epic run in Laax. Christian Stadler/Laax Open
"Not for a second did I think it was a done deal until the last rider went because any rider could have won. It's always been a super-important detail for me to spin in every direction, and try and keep a bit of soul in there with the switch McTwist at the start before it gets into a lot of spinning.
"Really happy to get the triple in there this year, as well, which was a big goal of mine."
The win elevated James to 230 points and equal first in the World Cup standings, drawing him level with Yuto Totsuka of Japan.
Scotty James (centre) standing atop the Laax Open podium. Christian Stadler/Laax Open
The Australian described the Laax venue as "one of the best pipes in the world" and said there were "no excuses but to go 110 per cent on this thing".
"You've got to bring your best if you want to stand on top, or even on the podium for that matter," he added.
James is now set to compete this week in the X Games in the US city of Aspen, where he will be aiming to win his fourth X Games gold medal in succession.
