This was the Australian pilot's first win since he started racing in the Edge 540, and after earning victory by just 0.072 seconds from Germany’s Matthias Dolderer, he made special mention of his former technician Ron Simard, who died last year.

"It feels good," said Hall.

"It was a hard fought Final 4, but it was always going to be a hard fought Final 4, the way everyone is flying everyone can get on the podium and I believe there's six people that could win consistently.

"If you get four of those six in the Final 4 then any of them can win - every second counts, as you saw between me and Matthias."

Third place went to yesterday’s top qualifier Michael Goulian of the United States.

Winner of the opening round of this season’s Championships in Abu Dhabi, Goulian found himself in the Final 4 after his Round of 8 rival, Martin Sonka, was disqualified for a rule infringement.

Goulian posted a time of 58.083.

Yoshihide Muroya, last year’s overall champion, was the fourth member of the Final 4, but a two second penalty for incorrect level flying at Gate 8 put an end to his hopes of making the podium.

Goulian keeps top spot on the World Championship standings with 24 points, but Hall is now just three points behind and Muroya is third with 19.

Mika Brageot was the most successful of the three home fliers on the day, finishing fifth after reaching the round of 8, recording a time of 00.58.494.

The pilots now will head to Chiba for race three which is due to take place on May 26 and 27.