SNOWBOARD WORLD CUP. Dominique Maltais (CAN) and Pierre Vaultier (FRA) have clinched victory in today’s third snowboard cross of the 2011 LG Snowboard FIS World Cup season. In the ladies final in Telluride, which featured all top four qualifiers, it was Dominique Maltais, who crossed the finish line first. The Canadian thus secured a three-peat after having also won the first two races of this winter held in Lech, Austria, beginning of December. Alexandra Jekova (BUL) came in second ahead of Maelle Ricker (CAN) and Helene Olafsen (NOR). On the men’s side, Pierre Vaultier claimed victory in an enthralling photo finish by being a board’s nose ahead of Seth Wescott (USA). The Frenchman edged off the Olympic Champion by just a few inches. Alex Pullin (AUS) rounded out the podium as third with Fabio Caduff finishing fourth.

Before, the close decision of the men’s final heat was looming during the race. After Wescott had came out first out of the first turn, the 2006 and 2010 Olympic Gold medallists’ lead shrank down more and more. Beginning of the last third of the course built on Misty Maiden, Vaultier set attack after attack, which Wescott was able to parry off; until the very last feet when the 23-years-old boarder passed the US rider yet again.

“That was amazing,” said Vaultier, who had also won last year’s snowboard cross held in Telluride. “I guess that was the greatest finish I ever had. We went down just side by side. In the end, I pushed my front foot further and won.”

But despite his incredible catch up and riding performance, the 2008 and 2010 World Cup title holder’s 11th World Cup win was also the result of his eleven years older opponent’s lack of stamina.

“I didn’t have any energy left. I could hear him coming but got nothing in my legs anymore,” Wescott explained after the close finish. Ten days ago, the 2005 World Champion had started snowboarding again. And also the summer break wasn’t really true to the motto “workout for the winter” as the Maine resident admitted. “I took a ride on my mountain bike only once. And that was just to get to my bar. So, I’m definitely not disappointed.”

Maltais again unbeatable

Meanwhile, Dominique Maltais is writing her own snowboard history as the 30-years-old has won all three snowboard cross races held so far this season. According to this three-peat, the Quebec resident follows in the footsteps of LIndsay Jacobellis. The girl from the US was the last sbx rider to accomplish the feat of winning three times in a row in one season (2009).

“This is fantastic, just incredible. When we were racing the final, I realised that I was in front and would be able to win again. So I told myself to stay calm and bring this one home.” And Maltais did so.

However, the World Cup leader rejected the role as top aspirant for Gold at the up-coming World Championships in La Molina, Spain, bringing her team mate Maelle Ricker into the game. “There are a lot of fast girls out there. But Maelle is the Olympic Champion. So, I guess you have to beat her.”

The LG Snowboard FIS World Cup continues in Telluride tomorrow with the season’s sole team snowboard cross.

FISsnowboard.com
Saturday 18 December 2010