At the debut of Veysonnaz, Switzerland, as World Cup host, the reigning World Champion successfully competed in the ladies' final relegating Canada's Dominique Maltais and Maelle Ricker as well as Alexandra Jekova from Bulgaria to the second to fourth rank respectively.

(L-R) Maelle Ricker of the U.S., Helene Olafsen of Norway, Alexandra Jekova of Bulgaria and Dominique Maltais of Canada are airborne during the final of the women's FIS World Cup snowboard cross event in Veysonnaz January 15, 2010. Olafsen won ahead of Ricker, Maltais and Jekova. REUTERS/Denis Balibouse (SWITZERLAND - Tags: SPORT SNOWBOARDING)

The young Norwegian rider thus climbed up to third in the World Cup ranking which is still led by Ricker. On the men's side, Pierre Vaultier was the fastest rider proofing once again that he is on fire. The 22-years-old World Cup leader from France secured his season's third win on the "Piste de l'Ours" slope which was peppered with 16 features by edging off David Speiser (GER) to the runner-up spot. Nick Baumgartner (USA) came in third crossing the finish line ahead of Francois Boivin (CAN).

Despite the fact that Vaultier took home another victory, his career's eighth win didn't come in as easy and flawless like the two others which he had earned this winter in Chapelco and Bad Gastein. Vaultier came out of the start gates in last position and had to fight back throughout the whole final. "This worked out pretty good although I had a very bad start. But I felt very good today" the French rider said. However, also the international field is able to take home some good news as this winter's dominating snowboard cross racer is not unbeatable: Fabio Caduff (SUI) and Nick Baumgartner were able to stay in front in the quarter and semi finals respectively.

Speiser repeats career's best

Although David Speiser wasn't able to do the same in the finals missing to hold back Vaultier, the German rider was pretty stoked with the result as he was able to repeat his career's best earned two years ago in another French speaking Swiss winter sport resort (Leysin 2008). "I'm very happy with my second place finish. I had a good start which was very important as you had to be in front in the middle section if you wanted to go for victory."
In addition, today's podium finish, the fifth in his 56th World Cup start, was balm for his soul as the season didn't go well for the Oberstdorf resident by coming in 16th in Chapelco, 12th in Telluride and 17th in Bad Gastein. "Now, I have a good feeling for the up-coming Olympics" Speiser said.

Third World Cup win for Olafsen

On the ladies' side, Helene Olafsen turns out to be in perfect shape. The 19-years-old Norwegian rider celebrated a back-to-back podium result within just one week after adding her career's third World Cup triumph to her runner-up finish of Bad Gastein. And this triumph came pretty surprising: "This is amazing. I didn't expect this at all as this course wasn't really mine."

Winner Helene Olafsen of Norway, center, is flanked by 2nd placed Dominique Maltais of Canada, third placed Maelle Ricker of Canada celebrate on the podium after the finals at the women's Snowboard Cross World Cup race in Veysonnaz, Switzerland, Friday, Jan. 15, 2010. (AP Photo/Keystone, Jean-Christophe Bott)

Despite the fact that she wasn't really into the course shape, the reigning World Champion got along better and better with the slope and its numerous gliding sections. After she was beaten by Maltais in the quarter and semi finals, Olafsen paid back by edging off the 2006 Olympic Bronze medallist to the runner-up spot.

A fact what didn't disappoint Maltais at all. "I didn't have a good start but I knew that I'm fast in the last section. I'm in a very good mental and physical form at the moment" Maltais said. The best prerequisites for the 29-years-old who will enter the season's fifth snowboard cross in Stoneham/Quebec - a venue which she calls home: "I'm looking forward to this race."

However, before the next snowboard cross takes place in Stoneham/Quebec on January 20th and 21st, the race boarders compete in their next race. Nendaz, Switzerland will host this season's fourth parallel giant slalom taking place in just two days.

FISsnowboard.com
Friday 15 January 2010