Kuzovlev had missed out on a place in the men’s speed final yesterday, but went a stage further today by being one of eight athletes to advance from the semi-finals.

The Russian would ultimately triumph in the final, fending off the challenge of South Korea’s Hee Yong Park, who would end as the runner-up.

Switzerland’s Yannick Glatthard finished as the bronze medallist in the event, which saw five different nations represented in the top five.

Russia’s Alexey Dengin, who won the first event of the season in Colorado, could only manage a seventh place finish in the Chinese capital.

There was better fortune for the women’s champion in the American leg of the series, as Shin Woonseon would end as the runner-up today.

She would be denied her second successive victory by Russia’s Maria Tolokonina, who was able to add to her silver medal from the speed event.

There would be a second South Korean on the podium as Song Han Na Rai finished third. 

The performance of Shin and Song will raise home hopes of success at the third event of the series, which will take place in Cheongsong, South Korea, on January 14 and 15.

A total of five World Cup stages will take place before the UIAA World Championships, which will be held in Champagny-en-Vanoise in France from February 4 to 5.