Australia's Belle Brockhoff fourth in women's snowboard cross at Beijing Winter Olympics

Triple Olympian Belle Brockhoff has finished fourth in the women's snowboard cross at the Beijing Winter Olympics, paying for a poor start in the big final.

Brockhoff fell behind early in the four-woman medal decider and was unable to make up ground.

American Lindsey Jacobellis won the gold medal ahead of Chloe Trespeuch of France, with Meryeta Odine of Canada taking the bronze.

Brockhoff finished second in her semi-final, quarter-final and one-eighth final heats to reach the medal race.

«All I can say is, 'Oh well' rather than, 'What if',» a tearful Brockhoff told the Seven Network after the medal race.

Fellow Australian Josie Baff was eliminated when she took third in a separate one-eighth final heat.

Brockhoff had an unhappy start to her Winter Olympics campaign on Wednesday, with the Australian off the pace in the first seeding run.

She could only manage 18th and was forced to contest the second seeding run, which determines which heats competitors are placed in for the next round.

There she appeared to find her groove and crossed the line in 1:24.72, putting her through to the one-eighth finals.

Brockhoff and Pyeong Chang silver medallist Jarryd Hughes are the reigning world champions in the mixed team event, which will make its Olympic debut in Beijing.

Scotty James will be chasing Japan gun Ayumu Hirano in the men's halfpipe medal round after the Australian qualified for the Olympic final in second spot.

James's top score came in his second run, when he scored 91.25 and was only bested by two-time silver medallist Hirano, who was rewarded with 93.25 for his second outing on Wednesday.

Australian teen Valentino Guseli rebounded from a disappointing first run, when he failed to exit an early jump cleanly, to qualify in fifth