Telluride, CO - Well another US World Cup is in the books and I've gotta say it was a great one. The weather was cold and snowy during the building of the snowboardcross course but cleared up for all the races. We held two PGS races - one each on Tuesday and Thursday - and two SBX's - individuals on Saturday and Team SBX on Sunday.
In Tuesday's Parallel Giant Slalom race Matthew Morison(CAN) took first followed by Benjamin Karl(AUT) and Matthieu Bozzetto(FRA). On the ladies side, first went to Fraenzi Maegert-Kohli(SUI), second to Amelie Kober(GER), and third to Kimiko Zakreski(CAN). Best US results were Chris Klug(15th), Justin Reiter(16th), and Michelle Gorgone(11th).
In Thursday' race Jasey Jay Anderson(CAN) took first followed by teammate Michael Lambert(CAN) and Rok Flander(SLO). For the ladies, Alena Zavarina(RUS)took first, Marion Kreiner(AUT) second, and Ine Meschik(AUT) third. Best US finish was Adam Smith(14th) and Lindsay Lloyd(17th). Action from the PGS will be broadcast this Saturday the 26th at 1:30pm on NBC and Sunday, January 3rd at 5pm on Versus.
In SBX action, the athletes were put to the test on a long, challenging course designed and built by Olympic course builder, Jeff Ihaksi, and his assitant Johnie Balfour. Many riders agreed that the bar has been raised again with his design and were psyched to race under the bluebird skies of Telluride.
Once again, the Adirondacks own, Derek DiCastro travelled to the event to forerun the course. Derek quickly figured out the course and managed to get a little camera work in for the production crew. He was fitted with a lipstick camera on his lower leg to record the point of view as he raced down the track against another athlete. We're hoping we'll see the footage this Sunday when the event airs on NBC at 1pm.
The men's event saw Pierre Vaultier(FRA) come in first, with Robert Fagan(CAN)second, and former halfpipe Olympic medalist Ross Powers(USA) coming in third. The strong American field then took 5 of the next 6 spots. On the ladies side, Maelle Ricker(CAN) took first, Simona Meiler(SUI)second, and Dominique Maltais(CAN) third. The top US finishers were 17-year old Faye Gulini(8th) and Lindsay Jacobellis(11th).
Last but not least was the Team SBX event. A test event the last two years, this was the first official FIS World Cup Team SBX. The riders, who normally ride solo, got fired up for their teammates and their country while vying for the title. The US managed to podium in both the ladies' and men's competitions and Lindsay Jacobellis made up for her 11th place in the solo event with a first place with teammate Faye Gulini. Men's podium - 1st FRA(De La Rue, Vaultier), 2nd USA(Holland, Baumgartner), 3rd CAN(Robertson, Neilson) Ladies' - 1st USA(Jacobellis,Gulini), 2nd CAN(Ricker, Maltais), 3rd SUI(Frieden, Meiler).
All the results can be found here or on the FIS site.
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