The 18-year-old is now the reigning Olympic, X Games and world champion after she topped the podium at Park City in Utah with a score of 93.50 points.

Kim finished streets ahead of the rest of the field, with two-time gold medallist Cai Xuetong of China taking silver on 84.00 points. 

Maddie Mastro added to the American success as she earned the bronze medal with a total of 82.00 points. 

"I landed my first run and I was stoked, and then my second run was kind of a set-up run to try the double," said Kim. 

"I really wish I was able to put [the double] down, but hopefully the next contest I can do it. 

"But I’m super stoked to take home the win here at the World Championships."

Olympic bronze medallist Scotty James of Australia made history as he became the first male snowboarder to win three world titles in a row by triumphing in the men's halfpipe competition.

James had set the benchmark with 94.25 points in his opening run but managed to better it with his third, which yielded a huge 97.50.

Yuto Totsuka of Japan won silver medal as he scored 92.50 points and the bronze was claimed by Switzerland's Patrick Burgener, whose routine was rewarded with 91.50.

"I was pinching myself when I won my second world championships and I’m pinching myself again now that I’ve got three," James said. 

"I got to go out there and do wanted to do and I’m proud of that."

The freeski moguls finals were also held on a packed day of action in Utah as Yulia Galysheva of Kazakhstan and Canadian star Mikaël Kingsbury sealed gold in the women's and men's events respectively.

Galysheva claimed Kazakhstan's first title in the history of the Freestyle Ski and Snowboard World Championships with a score of 79.14 points.

The Kazakh, who arrived at this year's event with world silver and bronze to her name, defeated Australia's Jakara Anthony, who managed 78.99 points.

Reigning Olympic champion Perrine Laffont of France was forced to settle for the bronze medal on 78.70 points.

Olympic gold medallist Kingsbury secured his third world moguls crown as he scored 84.89 points to move level with France's Edgar Gospiron on the all-time list of men’s freestyle victories.

Matt Graham of Australia took the silver medal on 81.94 points as he narrowly edged Daichi Hara of Japan, who was just 0.28 points behind in third place.

The event is due to continue tomorrow with finals in the dual moguls and freeski halfpipe events for men and women.