Olympics-Snowboarding-Moioli wins snowboard cross gold in dramatic finale

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* Italy's Moioli wins snowboard cross gold

* Pereira de Sousa Mabileau takes silver for France

* Sochi gold medallist Samkova is third

By Jack Tarrant

PYEONGCHANG, South Korea, Feb 16 (Reuters) - Italy's Michela Moioli clinched Olympic gold at the end of a dramatic snowboard cross final at Pyeongchang's Phoenix Snow Park on Friday.

France's 16-year-old Julia Pereira de Sousa Mabileau won silver, while Sochi gold medallist Eva Samkova of the Czech Republic claimed bronze.

Moioli, the current World Cup leader, just managed to get her board in front of the other five riders in a thrilling conclusion to clinch the gold by centimetres.

American Lindsey Jacobellis, in her fourth Olympics and chasing her first gold medal, could only manage fourth.

(Editing by Greg Stutchbury)