Seth Wescott created the Sugarloaf Banked Slalom three years ago. On Saturday, he showed how serious he is about finally winning.

Wescott finished with the fastest time in a field of 157 snowboarders, negotiating the winding Sidewinder course and banked turns in 1:19.11 on the first of his two runs. That was more than four seconds ahead of second place qualifier Howard Chauvin (1:23.45).

Jack Dawe (1:23.46) was second. Defending champion Ryan Flynn (1:24.17) was fourth, while World Cup snowboarder Alex Tuttle(1:25.63) placed sixth.

Wescott, the two-time Olympic gold medalist from Farmington, is coming off a win in the Mt. Baker Legendary Banked Slalom in Washington, the event that inspired him to create the Sugarloaf Banked Slalom.

Emily Eames was the top female finisher with a time of 1:33.05, followed by Samantha Bouchie (1:35.04). Defending champion Lindsay Stewart (1:37.52) was third.

Racing resumes at 9:30 a.m. Sunday for the finals. Seedings and start times will be based on the best of each snowboarder’s two runs on Saturday.

The top male and female finishers will receive an automatic entry into the 2014 Mt. Baker Legendary Banked Slalom.

Seth Wescott takes a turn at the third annual Sugarloaf Banked Slalom Saturday at Sugarloaf. Wescott turned in the top qualifying time of the day among 157 snowboarders.