Paul and Koblet new SBX junior world champions

World Cup experienced racers Kristina Paul (RUS) and Kalle Koblet (SUI) have claimed the first titles of the 2017 junior world championships.

At the moment, the first stop of the junior worlds trilogy is taking place in Klinovec (CZE) which will play host to the first four medal decisions in 2017.

End of March, Spindleruv Mlyn (CZE) will organise the junior world's big air and slopestyle competition while the halfpipe titles will be given in Silvaplana (SUI) on April 21, 2017.

However, back on the 700 metres long course, Paul came out successful of the women's final relegating German champion Jana Fischer and Julia Pereira (FRA) to the respective second and third rank.

Four days before turing 19 years, the best qualifier therefore kept hold to her 2016 title becoming the third ever female rider to celebrate back-to-back titles after Eva Samkova (CZE, 2010 and 2011) and Charlotte Bankes (FRA, 2014 and 2015) had done so before.

On the men's side of things, 9th best qualifier Koblet led a tight battle to the finish line with David Pickl (AUT) and Leon Beckhaus (GER) ranking both in second position after the photo finish review didn't see any of both in front.

Full results can be viewed online for both:

The junior world championships will continue on Sunday with the team snowboard cross event.