Recently-crowned world champion Eva Samková of the Czech Republic clocked the fastest time in women's snowboard cross qualification ©Getty Images

Recently-crowned world champion Eva Samková of the Czech Republic topped women's qualification at the International Ski Federation Snowboard Cross World Cup in Baqueira Beret in Spain today.

The 25-year-old, who won gold in the event at the 2014 Winter Olympic Games in Sochi, produced the fastest time of the event as she crossed the line in 56.60sec.

The result saw Samková qualify for tomorrow's finals in style as she bids to continue her superb form following her triumph at the World Championships in Utah in January.

Francesca Gallina of Italy was second-fastest in 56.80, while current World Cup leader Lindsay Jacobellis was 0.01 slower in third for the United States.

The top 16 snowboarders all secured a place in the finals.

Lucas Eguibar of Spain topped the qualification standings in the men's event ©Getty Images
Lucas Eguibar of Spain topped the qualification standings in the men's event ©Getty Images

In the men's event, double World Championships silver medallist Lucas Eguibar delighted the home crowd by producing the quickest time.

Eguibar, world junior champion in 2013, took top spot on the qualification leaderboard after posting 53.44 in the first run.

Winter Universiade silver medallist Alessandro Hämmerle of Austria was second in 53.63, while Lorenzo Sommariva of Italy was third.

Mick Dierdorff of the United States, who won gold at the World Championships on home soil in Utah, was fourth in 54.13.

The four athletes were among the 32 men's snowboarders who progressed to the finals.