Para-snowboard star wins World Cup gold

Australian Paralympic co-captain Joany Badenhorst has warmed up for next month's PyeongChang Games with a para-snowboard cross gold medal at the World Cup Finals in Canada.

The 23-year-old beat Spaniard Astrid Fina Parades in the two-person final at Big White on Tuesday after progressing through the opening three rounds.

Badenhorst, a leg amputee, maintains her spot equal top of the SB-LL2 classification world rankings ahead of the Paralympics beginning on March 8.

"All the riders were out in full force today, meaning competition was as tough as ever," she said.

"But securing gold and having that a month out from the Paralympic Games is incredibly reassuring, and knowing that the hard work we put in is leading us the right way is fantastic."

Badenhorst, who became Australia's first female Paralympic snowboard representative at Sochi 2014, will also compete in the banked slalom next month.