Fresh from a World Cup win in Austria, Samkova is many people's favourite to take gold here in the snowboard cross and she showed why by putting in two impressive runs with the fastest clocking a time of 45:72sec to put her through to the finals tomorrow.

The 20-year-old finished ahead of teammate Chourova Katerina, who clocked 48:18, while Poland's Zuzanna Smykala completed the top three in 48:30.

Japan's Iwadare Karen and Irina Kovaleva also impressed while home fans will be delighted that both Julia Manfrini and Greta Felder made it through to the final round.

Olyunin, the 2010 world junior champion, was in similarly effective form as he cruised through to the final with consummate ease clocking a fastest time of 43:68, making him the man to beat.

Austria's They Douschan registered his quickest run with a time of 44:55 to finish behind the Russian, while Dawid Wal of Poland was next fastest with 44:65.

Italian interest is provided in the form of Federico Ghezze and Varesco George, 14th and 20th respectively.

World Championship silver medallist Denis Ten had to pull out of competition in Trento due to an injury in the warm-up ©Getty Images