Jacqui Cooper and Lydia Lassila gabbed first and second placings in the opening event of the World Cup aerial skiing season at Lianhua Mountain, China.

Cooper maintained the dominance she displayed last season while her Olympic Winter Institute team-mate had a strong comeback from the horrific knee injury suffered at the Torino Olympics.

Cooper, 34, posted a massive score of 110.36 points for her triple twisting triple somersault in the qualifying round, then did enough in her double twisting triple final jump in the final to claim the gold on 196.62 points.

It was the 20th victory of her career, now into its 14th season.

"I was really happy with my first jump," Cooper said.

"But some of the jumps I have been doing in training were better so I know I can improve on that.

"And then during the second round there was a big change in the light the sun went down and the landing hill got very dark and I couldn't see it properly.

"I just didn't trust myself and I dragged a hand all the way down the landing hill. So I'll have to visualise it tonight and be prepared for it tomorrow.

Lassila, 25, who blew out her knee at the Torino Games, was lying in fifth place after the qualifying round on 90.76 points.

But her triple twisting double jump in the final earned 99.58 points for a total of 190.34, vaulting her past a brace of Chinese opponents for her 20th podium placing.

The result was made more remarkable by the fact bad weather at their training base in Switzerland wiped out most of the Australian team's final two weeks of training.

"Considering the lack of preparation we've had, I'm really happy - I'll take this for sure," said Lassila, nee Ierodiaconou.

"I did my first triple twisting doubles here two days ago. I tried one in training in Switzerland but landed on my face.

"So I think I've got up to speed very fast and up to doing nice jumps in a very short time. Plus it's a long while since I've been on snow so there was a bit to get used to. All in all I think it's been a pretty good job. I'm very happy."

Hometown hero Xinxin Guo took the bronze medal with a total score of 186.70 points.

The third member of the Australian team, Liz Gardner, finished in seventh place on 168.36 points.

A second World Cup event will be contested tomorrow at the same Changchun venue.

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