Defending his slalom bronze medal from the previous championships in La Molina, Marguč defeated a host of top-flight talent, including leading qualifier Andreas Prommegger of Austria in the semi-final, en route to the gold.

With the win the 26-year-old became the most decorated Slovenian snowboarder at the World Championships, as he added to his bronze from two years and a silver in the parallel giant slalom from La Molina.

"This is great - after winning two less shiny medals, I'm world champion now," Marguč celebrated after the win.

"The conditions were exactly what I was hoping for: a hard track with the right configuration. After the first finals run, which I lost, I did not give up, I knew that the blue track was faster than the yellow and wasn't panicking in trying to make up the deficit to Reiter."

"This is the best promotion for Slovenian fans to turn up to the next World Cup competition, which will be taking place in Slovenia's Rogla on 8 February," Marguč added.