Snowboarders Kearney, Brockhoff win season-opening crosses

MONTAFON, Austria (AP) American snowboarder Hagen Kearney won the season-opening World Cup cross race Friday for his first career win.

Kearney, who had not reached a World Cup podium before, defeated former overall champion Omar Visintin of Italy in a rerun of the final, while Australian pair Alex Pullin and Jarryd Hughes came third and fourth, respectively.

The initial final was won by Visintin but had to be repeated because of a malfunctioning gate.

Olympic champion Pierre Vaultier of France was beaten in his quarterfinal heat.

In the women's race, Belle Brockhoff of Australia earned her second career win by edging Chloe Trespeuch of France. Four-time world champion Lindsey Jacobellis took third while last year's winner, Nelly Moenne Loccoz of France, came fourth.

A team event is scheduled for Sunday.