Matteotti, Jacobellis win snowboard cross world titles

KREISCHBERG, Austria (AP) Lindsey Jacobellis of the United States won the women's snowboard cross for her fourth world title Friday, while Luca Matteotti won the men's event for his first major championship.

Nelly Moenne Loccoz of France was the fastest starter and led the women's final before being overtaken by Jacobellis, who also won the word title in 2005, `07 and `11.

''I am really happy,'' said Jacobellis, who won Olympic silver in 2006. ''It just all came together for me. I never won any of the starts. Every race I had to fight. It's incredible how much this sport has evolved, especially on the women's side. And I am happy to be a part of that history, and I am still with it.''

Moenne Loccoz took silver and Michela Moioli of Italy won the bronze medal. Olympic champion Eva Samkova of the Czech Republic lost in the semifinals and finished sixth.

Chasing his first podium finish at a major championship, Matteotti won the big final ahead of silver medalist Kevin Hill of Canada. Matteotti's sole World Cup win also came in Austria - in Lech am Arlberg four years ago.

Nick Baumgartner took bronze, while fellow American Nate Holland crashed and placed fourth.

Two-time defending champion Alex Pullin of Australia lost his balance and fell while chasing Holland and Hill in the first semifinal. Pullin was runner-up to Alessandro Haemmerle of Austria in the small final to place sixth overall.

Olympic champion Pierre Vaultier of France failed to reach the semifinals, and Markus Schairer of Austria, who won gold in 2009 and silver in 2013, didn't compete after injuring his ankle during Thursday's qualifying.

The next medal event at the snowboard worlds is the halfpipe competition on Saturday.