After struggling in his opening runs, Christensen saved the best untill last, producing a superb performance to take the win ahead of compatriots McRae Williams and Gus Kenworthy as the hosts monopolised the podium.

The 23-year-old freestyle star grew up racing on the Park City hills and his haul of 92 points proved enough to add the World Cup crown to his Olympic gold medal from Sochi in 2014.

Williams, who also hails from Park City, finished with 90 points to pip teammate Kenworthy by a solitary point for silver, while Finland's Sami Sakkinen could not quite breach the American trio as he came fourth.

"I'm really stoked," Christensen said.

"It's definitely hard dropping last when there's no one behind you and knowing it's up to you to either do well or not.

"I was really nervous going into this third one and I really wanted to land a run.

"I was sitting in 10thplace, so I knew I just wanted to do well.

"I was up there alone, and I was just thinking I wanted to do the best I could and try and prove myself.

"So I just went for it, and I'm glad I went for it because it worked out."

Sweden's Emma Dahlstrom (centre) emerged victorious in the women's event as she beat Devin Logan of America (left) and Norways Tiril Sjaastad Christiansen ©Getty Images



In the women's event, Sweden's Emma Dahlstrom continued her excellent run of form as she claimed victory ahead of America's Devin Logan, while Tiril Sjaastad Christiansen was third.

Dahlstrom, who came into the competition at Park City fresh from a victory at the winter X Games in Aspen last month, laid down a superb run, finishing with a total of 79.6 points, two ahead of Logan.

"I felt pretty good the whole way through," the 22-year-old said.

"I missed out on the first practice day because of delayed flights, but then in qualies I got a pretty good feeling and today it worked.

"Everything's been going pretty well so far this year."

The skiing event continues tomorrow with the men's and women's halfpipe competitions.

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