Qualifying focus turned from snowboarding to skiing today at the FIS Slopestyle World Cup ©FIS

Japanese teenage sensation Taisei Yamamoto posted the highest qualifying score at today's International Ski Federation (FIS) Freestyle Skiing Slopestyle World Cup in Seiser Am.

The 15-year-old, competing in his first slopestyle World Cup event, posted 93.66 in the final pool of qualifiers.

It saw him finish comfortably in front of Canadian Mark Hendrickson, a comparative veteran aged 18, who scored 92.00.

Another Canadian in Noah Morrison was awarded 90.33 for the third best score of the day.

Russell Henshaw of Australia managed fourth best with 90.00.

France's Coline Ballet Baz led the way in the corresponding women's event with a score of 82.00.

Qualification took place today at the Seiser Alm resort making its debut on the World Cup programme ©FIS Freestyle
Qualification took place today at the Seiser Alm resort making its debut on the World Cup programme ©FIS Freestyle

Lee Mee-hyun of South Korea managed 75.66 to progress in second place. 

Canadian Dara Howell qualified third with 73.66.

The event is the first FIS Snowboard Slopestyle competition to be held in Seiser Alm.

The resort has previously staged Europa Cup and Junior World Championship competitions.

Action is due to resume with snowboard finals tomorrow.

The two freestyle skiing competitions are then due to conclude with finals on Saturday (January 28).