Czech Eva Samkova's searing pace helped her avoid the rough and tumble of the pack and dominate the snowboarding cross final on Sunday to win the gold medal in Sochi.

The 20-year-old became her country's first Olympic champion in a snowboard event and first gold medalist in Sochi.

Dominique Maltais of Canada claimed silver, and French teenager Chloe Trespeuch won the bronze.