Benjamin Karl recaptures snowboarding World Cup title

OLMYPIC silver medallist Benjamin Karl reclaimed the parallel giant slalom and overall snowboarding crystal globes with his third World Cup victory of the season in Valmalenco on Saturday.

TOP PERFORMER: Austria's Benjamin Karl captures the parallel giant slalom and overall snowboarding World Cup double after victory in Italy (Getty Images)

The Austrian had to beat the best to strike gold in Italy, progressing past teammate Andreas Prommegger in the quarter finals before gaining revenge for his Olympic big final defeat to Canada's Jasey Jay Anderson in the last four.

Slovenia's Rok Flander had impressed to reach his first World Cup big final of the season, but proved no match for Karl as he crashed out in the first race and lost out by 0.38 seconds in the second.

But the Austrian paid tribute to Flander after lifting his the World Cup title with one race remaining in La Molina next week.

"Rok was super fast today," said Karl, who also won the overall snowboarding and parallel giant slalom crystal globe double in 2008.

"He was probably the best rider out there today. I knew I had to give everything but I also had the luck on my side this time.

"It's been such a great day, just unbelievable. I'm stoked to have both globes again."

Meanwhile, Olympic champion Nicolien Sauerbreij closed in on sealing an identical double after victory in the women's event in Valmalenco.

Like Karl, the Dutch skater lifted the overall and parallel giant slalom World Cup double two years ago but will have to wait until La Molina to see if she can repeat the feat.

Sauerbreij extended her lead over Austria's Doris Guenther in the parallel giant slalom standings to 490 with the win but sits just 40 points ahead of snowboardcross star Maelle Ricker in the overall World Cup places.