Defending champion Omischl bags first World Cup win

DEFENDING champion Steve Omischl claimed gold in the aerials World Cup event in Quebec - his first podium of the season.

Omischl, a five-time winner last year, had failed to medal in his first two starts this season.

But the 30-year-old collected his 19th World Cup victory and his 36th medal when he topped a podium that was completed by Belarusian Timofei Slivets and Switzerland's Thomas Lambert.

"Any time I can get a win, it's special, especially in the qualifying period for the Olympics," he said.

"I can't jump any better. That was 100 per cent of what I'm capable of producing."

Australia's Lydia Lassila won the women's aerials with China's Shuang Cheng and Shanshan Zhao in second and third respectively.

Great Britain's Sarah Ainsworth finished 18th - a five place improvement on her position at the previous World Cup in Lake Placid.

Canada also secured a first-ever medal sweep in the men's moguls as their preparations for next year's Winter Olympics in Vancouver gather pace.

Vincent Marquis took gold while Japan's Aika Uemura claimed the women's title with Britain's Elleanor Koyander a distant 30th.

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