Sandra Frei and Mateusz Ligocki won the last snowboard cross race in the 2007/2008 NOKIA Snowboard FIS World Cup. Ligocki (POL) secured the first ever SBX World Cup victory for Poland after he relegated Pierre Vaultier (FRA), Vincent Valery (FRA) and Radoslav Zidek (SVK) to the second to fourth spots respectively. Due to his second rank in Valmalenco, Vaultier was able to defeat Stian Sivertzen (NOR) in the race for the SBX World Cup title. On the ladies' side, Sandra Frei celebrated her career's second triumph beating Alexandra Jekova (BUL), Dominique Maltais (CAN) and Helene Olafsen (NOR) in the final. Maelle Ricker who finished eleventh today took home the crystal globe to Canada.

Maelle Ricker of Canada, right, winner of the women's snowboard bordercrossing title, and Alexandra Jekova of Bulgaria are airborne during the World Cup finals in Valmalenco, Italy, Thursday, March 13, 2008. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino)

Ladie's Podium. Bulgarian Jekova won money prize of EUR 3528 also. Foto credit: FIS

There couldn't have been a better timing for the historical Polish victory in the snowboard cross World Cup other then the FIS World Cup Grand Finals. “Actually I don't like courses like today's. As you can see, I just made it to the finals as 20th. But when it comes down to direct duels I'm much better. My coach prepared my board very well and I was doing well at the starts. This win is just amazing”, Mateusz Ligocki said after the final of this winter's ninth race.

But the 25-year-old also profited from a mistake by one of his contestants for today's triumph. On the “Barci”-course Radoslav Zidek was leading until the last gate which he wasn't able to pass correctly. “Although he made a mistake I was close to catch up and pass him.” Ligocki's day got perfect by winning in front of his parents: “Every time I place on the podium my mum and my dad are there. I have to thank them for that.”

On the ladies' side, Sandra Frei celebrated her season best result: “It's awesome to win the race at the finals. It couldn't be better. Today, it worked out very well for me – except of the second training run when I broke my bindings. But from the quarter finals on I was able to get the whole shot. Only in the finals it was a closer one. It's just a super nice day!”

(R to L) Canada's Maelle Ricker, Bulgaria's Alexandra Jekova, Switzerland's Olivia Nobs and Austria's Manuela Riegler compete in the women's Snowboard-Cross FIS World Cup Grand Finals 2008 in Chiesa Valmalenco March 13, 2008. Canada's Ricker won the Snowboard-Cross 2008 trophy. REUTERS/Max Rossi (ITALY)

One of these days had also Pierre Vaultier who secured the 2008 Snowboard Cross World Cup title by placing second: “I guess I will realise tomorrow that I was the best over the whole season. Right now, I cannot say that much. But for sure I'm very happy to bring home the crystal globe.”

Maelle Ricker of Canada celebrates on podium after winning the women's snowboard bordercrossing title at the World Cup finals in Valmalenco, Italy, Thursday, March 13, 2008. (AP Photo/Giovanni Auletta)

Maelle Ricker, who collected the ladies' World Cup title in absence of her main competitor said after the flower ceremony: “It's nice that I won. I had a very constant season including a lot of cool battles with Lindsey Jacobellis. It's a bummer that she is not here. I'm happy with all of my results – although I didn't do that well today.

FIS news, 13.03.2008