Rukajärvi, who topped the podium at the World Cup competition in Laax in Switzerland last week, scored 88.25 points to progress to the final with ease.

The total was the highest recorded during the qualification stage of the women’s slopestyle event.

Sina Candrian of Switzerland, slopestyle silver medallist at the 2013 World Championships, took victory in the second qualifier heat after she received a total of 83.75 points.

Canadian duo Laurie Blouin and Brooke Voigt, Britain’s Aimee Fuller and reigning world champion Miyabi Onitsuka of Japan also managed to secure a spot in the six-strong final.

Blouin was second in Rukajärvi’s heat after her performance was given a score of 82.25 points, while Fuller finished behind Candrian on 72.50 points.

In the men’s event, 2011 world champion Seppe Smits of Belgium and Billy Morgan of Britain were the winners of the two heats respectively.

Smits had laid down a marker of 92.50 points in the day’s opener but Morgan surpassed the score of the Belgian.

Morgan was the day’s highest scorer as his routine yielded an impressive 93.25 points from the judges.

The success for the British snowboarders continued as Jamie Nicholls and Rowan Coultas also qualified for the final.

They will be joined by Sebbe de Buck of Belgium and Italy’s Davide Boggio, as well the top four finishers in the semi-finals, due to be held on Friday (January 27) morning.

The event is the first FIS Snowboard Slopestyle competition to be held in Seiser Alm.

The resort has previously staged Europa Cup and Junior World Championship competitions.

Action is due to resume on Friday.