Iwabuchi has won the first two World Cup events in the 2018 to 2019 campaign and is aiming for her third consecutive win at the event in the Chinese capital, due to host the 2022 Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Of the 19 starters in the women’s event, the top six have qualified for the final tomorrow.

Marginally behind Iwabuchi in second place was Olympic champion Anna Gasser.

The Austrian world champion posted 88.50 points as Canada’s Laurie Blouin was third best with 85.75 points.

In the men’s competition, Sweden’s Sven Thorgren confidently secured the top qualifying spot with a 93.25-point run which put him 2.25 points ahead of the rest.

The top five in both heats advanced to tomorrow’s final with FIS World Cup overall contenders, Takeru Otsuka and Chris Corning posting the same score.

Japan’s Otsuka is tied with American Corning as both athletes have registered a win and a runners-up finish in the World Cup events so far.

Otsuka won the Modena World Cup event, while Corning took the gold in the Cardrona competition.

They both scored 91.00 points in qualifying to continue their rivalry in tomorrow’s final.