Fischnaller, Ledecka win parallel slalom world titles

LACHTAL, Austria (AP) Italian snowboarder Roland Fischnaller won the parallel slalom world championship title on Thursday, while Ester Ledecka of the Czech Republic took the women's gold medal.

Fischnaller defeated Andrey Sobolev of Russia by 0.16 seconds in the big final for his first major title. The four-time Olympian and winner of 10 World Cup races won three medals at previous world championships.

Rok Marguc of Slovenia took bronze after beating Aaron March of Italy by 0.59 in the small final.

The youngest competitor in the women's event, 19-year-old Ledecka won the title after her final opponent, Olympic champion Julia Dujmovits of Austria, was disqualified for sliding off course.

Dujmovits' teammate Marion Kreiner defeated Selina Joerg of Germany for the bronze medal.

The next medal event is the parallel giant slalom on Friday.