Britain's Charlotte Bankes led women's qualifying in Cervinia ©Getty Images

Britain's Charlotte Bankes and Lucas Eguibar of Spain topped the women's and men's qualifying, respectively, at the International Ski Federation (FIS) Snowboard Cross World Cup in Cervinia in Italy.

Bankes crossed the line in 42.06sec with an average speed of 54.78 kilometres per hour to claim victory.

The United States' Lindsey Jacobellis finished 0.35sec later to take silver while Michela Moioli's 42.41sec run was enough to secure third place.

Victory for Bankes, who won gold at the World Championships earlier this year, was never in doubt as she led from the outset and throughout.

Meanwhile in the men's race, Eguibar won by fine margins.

The 27-year-old, who also won gold at the World Championships in Idre Fjäll, led the field to win in 39.02sec.

Canada's Eliot Grondin and Austrian Jakob Dusek followed suit to claim second and third in 39.18sec and 39.34sec, respectively.

There was just 0.92 seconds separating first and 16th in Cervinia.

The action concludes tomorrow in Italy with the final of the women's and men's events.

Quarter-finals of four competitors each are due to take place in the women's tournament with the top two from each progressing to the next round.

The same format is set to take place for the men, but competition will start with a round of 32.