American Keith Gabel was Gurimu Narita's nearest challenger in the men’s SB-LL2 ©Getty Images

Japan’s Gurimu Narita finished unbeaten at the latest World Para Snowboard World Cup after springing a surprise to overcome home favourite Keith Gabel in the men’s SB-LL2 final on the last day of action in Lake Tahoe in the United States.

The two-days of competition featured snowboard-cross events and saw the 22-year-old Narita - also a NorAm Cup winner on Wednesday (January 25) - claim his first-ever victories on the World Para Snowboard scene.

World silver medallist Evan Strong of the UStook third place today.

There were no shocks in the men’s SB-UL, with overall World Cup leader Mike Minor of the US completing a perfect showing in Lake Tahoe.

He beat Great Britain’s James Barnes-Miller, while Canada’s Andrew Genge completed the podium.

Minor’s compatriots Brenna Huckaby and Nicole Roundy faced off in the women’s SB-LL1 final and it was the former, the overall World Cup leader and reigning world champion, who defeated the world bronze medallist for the second straight day.

Megan Harmon completed an American clean sweep of the podium.

The US's Nicole Roundy had to settle for second spot in the women's SB-LL1 ©Getty Images
The US's Nicole Roundy had to settle for second spot in the women's SB-LL1 ©Getty Images

Mark Mann also made it two-for-two in the men’s SB-LL1 after beating US team-mate Tyler Burdick to the finish.

Mann continues to chase overall World Cup leader Chris Vos of The Netherlands in the rankings. 

Japan’s Daichi Oguri came third today.

Australia’s Joany Badenhorst finished ahead of the US’s Brittani Coury in the women’s SB-LL2, and American Peggy Martin completed the women’s SB-UL.

This was the last competition before the 2017 World Para Snowboard Championships in Big White ski resort in Canada, where around 80 athletes from 25 countries are due to compete from February 1 to 8.