SBX. Team France has put its stamp on the sole snowboard cross team event of the 2012 LG Snowboard FIS World Cup, which was organized today in Telluride, CO. On the women's side, Nelly Moenne Loccoz (FRA) and Deborah Anthonioz (FRA) came out first in an enthralling final thus relegating Dominique Maltais (CAN) and Maelle Ricker (CAN) as well as Lindsey Jacobellis (USA) and Callan Chythlook-Sifsof (USA) to second and third respectively.

SBX World Cup Telluride, CO - Team Event - Heat 3 Men - Alex Pullin (AUS) red, Maciej Jodko (POL) yellow, Elias Koivuuma (FIN) black, Jonathan Cheever (USA) blue (hidden). Photo © Oliver Kraus

On the men's side, Pierre Vaultier (FRA) and Xavier De le Rue (FRA) repeated their win of 2009 on the same course. Just a few centimeters behind of Team France and thus second rider De le Rue, Nick Baumgartner (USA) crossed the finish line. Due to the close defeat in a photo finish, Baumgartner and his team mate Jonathan Cheever (USA) had to settle for second rank. Joachim Havikhagen (NOR) and Stian Sivertzen (NOR) rounded out the podium as third.

After the race, Xavier De le Rue was pretty happy about the fact, that he was blessed with Pierre Vaultier as team partner: "He did an awesome job. That made it pretty easy for me although I sucked at the top part. I don't know why but I had the same problem yesterday."

However, in the end, the former World Champion almost lost the comfortable lead his partner had built up. "I knew Nick was there. That was OK because I knew that he wouldn't blow me away. It was really respectful. It was a fair battle. I left him room, he left me room. It was great."

His rival for victory, Baumgartner, who celebrated his 30th birthday today, was also pretty OK with the result although he almost got De le Rue: "That was a big lead I almost caught up. I just pointed and went for it. I pinned it towards, I almost had him. I feel super pleased. It's good to be 30."

Great race to catch up in the ladies' finals

Compared to Baumgartner, Deborah Anthonioz was a little bit more successful in her pursuit race for victory. Starting out of the gates as third, she get closer and closer to Ricker and Chythlook-Sifsof in front of her finally passing both, first Ricker, then Chythlook-Sifsof, who ended up losing the battle for second against Ricker.

According to this great performance, 2010 Olympic Silver medalist Anthonioz was all smiles: "I'm super happy. It was a great race. I was feeling very well today and knew the course. I knew where the fast lines would be. That helped a lot."

In the team sbx, two riders form a team. As soon as the first rider crosses the finishes line, the start gate will automatically open for his team mate.

The LG Snowboard FIS World Cup continues with the postponed parallel slalom and parallel giant slalom in Carezza, Italy, on Dec 21 and 22.

FISsnowboard.com
Saturday 17 December 2011

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