Eva Samkova was the quickest women's qualifier as the season began today ©Getty Images

Olympic champion Eva Samkova was the fastest women's qualifier as the International Ski Federation (FIS) Snowboard Cross World Cup season began in Montafon in Austria today.

The Czech, the gold medallist at the Sochi 2014 Winter Games, completed the course in 1min 00.14sec en-route to a place in tomorrow's final rounds.

American Lindsay Jacobellis, best known for throwing away Olympic gold at Turin 2006 after falling while attempting a trick in the home straight, was the second quickest round today.

However, the four-time world champion required the second run to book her place tomorrow in 1:01.76. 

Nikolay Olyunin was the best men's qualifier on day one ©Getty Images
Nikolay Olyunin was the best men's qualifier on day one ©Getty Images

Italy's Michela Moioli, the defending World Cup champion, is also safely through.

In the men's qualification, Russia's Nikolay Olyunin was the top qualifier.

The Sochi Olympic silver medallist finished his first run in 56.94.

Winter X-Games champion Jarryd Hughes of Australia was second quickest in 57.05 with France's defending World Cup and Olympic champion Pierre Vaultier also safely through in 57.29.

Italian world champion Luca Matteotti was only 24th best in qualifying but still did enough to progress to tomorrow's action.