SAAS-FEE, Switzerland — Torah Bright of Australia and Kazuhiro Kokubo of Japan won season-opening World Cup snowboarding events on Thursday.

“I was so glad that we had a good weather today,” Bright said. “I had to get used to the pipe first, but then I could demonstrate some good runs.”

Cai Xuetong of China finished second in the women's competition, followed by Sophie Rodriguez of France.

With clean runs in the superpipe, Kokubo found himself surprised to be on top of the podium in the men's event.

“I didn't expect to win here against the strong international riders. But it's a great feeling and an honor definitely,” he said.

Mathieu Crepel of France was second and Peetu Piiroinen of Finland was third. X-Games silver medalist Kevin Pearce, of Norwich, Vt., finished 12th.