In a thrilling finish, Howden crossed the line ahead of Xander Vercammen of Belgium at the Hafjell Freepark as Louis Muhlen of Australia took bronze.

France's Matteo Lucatelli, the other starter in the four-man final, failed to finish.

Talina Gantenbein of Switzerland clinched gold in the corresponding women's event after edging out Australia's Zali Offord.

Klara Kasparova of Czech Republic took bronze.

Jake Vedder claimed men's snowboard cross on the same course in a thrilling big final, edging out another Australian in Alex Dickson in a breathtaking conclusion to a race in which Sebastian Pietrzykowski of Germany took bronze.

France's Manon Petit secured the corresponding women's snowboard cross title.

She crossed the line in front of Switzerland's Sophie Hediger with Caterina Carpano adding a medal for Italy with bronze. 

South Korea translated their speed skating domination from the short back to the long track in Hamar when Kim Min Seok powered to victory in the men's 1,500m, clocking 1:51.35 to improve upon his fifth place in the 500m.

Silver went to Daichi Horikawa of Japan in 1:52.96, while Daan Baks took Dutch bronze in 1:53.29.

That followed an earlier win for team-mate Park Ji Woo in the ladies 1,500m.

Park won in 2:03.53 to atone for her disappointment in the 500m when she was edged out of the medals into fourth. 

She was almost a second ahead of Han Mei of China, winning her second silver in 2:04.48, while Noemi Bonazza of Italy took bronze in 2:05.49.