SKI CROSS, FREESTYLE WORLD CUP. Christopher Delbosco finished ahead of Austria`s Andreas Matt and Russia`s Egor Korotkov in the men`s final. Del Bosco said he felt really comfortable once he returned to the hills last October and gradually worked his way back into top form.

Skiers perform during the men's ski cross World Cup event of the Alpe d'Huez, southeastern France, Wednesday, Jan. 12, 2011. (AP Photo/Laurent Cipriani)

“Sometimes you get lucky,” Del Bosco said. “Things just worked out really well when I got back on snow.”

With the victory, he moved into second place in the overall standings behind Matt.

In the ladies final,the veteran Ophelie David thrilled the home fans by beating Canada's Kelsey Serwa and Sweden's Anna Holmlund, who was third.

As for Serwa, the podium appearance moved her into top spot in the overall standings. She said she's feeling relaxed on the course and it's paying off with results.“I'm just really focusing on myself and skiing in the moment,” Serwa said.

It has not quite gone the way of Anna in the last World Cup races, where she has most come to the quarterfinals, but today she finally got to the finals again, despite the catchy track in Les Contamines usually does not fit her so well. "I was really psyched today and it was fun to ride" an excited Anna said.

In the final, Anna led the first part of the track and had full control. In a flat lot she lost some momentum after being locked in a contestant. A though battle was up in the end for the first three positions. "It was a fun race and Anna looked very strong in the start-up and dominated in all heats. It was nice to see that there will be fight between the athletes, " national coach John Lindh said.

"Of course, I gladly stood at the top of the podium today, but I'm really glad that I came into the final. All around me should be commended for this, I had good skis and have had good workouts, "Anna said.

FISfreestyle.com
Saturday 15 January 2011

Daniel Bohnacker (GER) won the ski cross final in Alpe d'Huez

Chris Del Bosco CAN, was looking for a strong performance after his leading the qualification.  The Canadian nailed or as they say pinned it, in the qualification and the question of the day was were they going to continue with the performance in the final.

Conradign Netzer of Switzerland, right, leads, during the final of the men's ski cross World Cup event of the Alpe d'Huez, southeastern France, ahead Andreas Matt of Austria, center, who finished second, and Patrick Koller of Austria, left, who finished third, Wednesday, Jan. 12, 2011. Netzer finished in fourth place. (AP Photo/Laurent Cipriani)

It was not to be, there was more surprises in store for everyone in the men’s Ski Cross final. There was an upset with a relatively unknown 19 year old, Daniel BOHNACKER (GER) from SC Gerhausen winning the men’s competition against some very large skiers from Austria and Switzerland.

BOHNACKER placed second in the qualification.  His performance has increased all season from a 44th and 24th in Innichen, to an 8th in St Johann and now with his first ever win. In the final he was up against Matt Andreas (AUT) World Champion and Olympic Silver medalist, with team mate Koller Patrick (AUT).

FISfreestyle.com
Wednesday 12 January 2011

Kelsey Serwa (CAN) won ski cross final in Alpe d'Huez

Kelsey Serwa (CAN) won the ladies skicross finals in Alpe d'Huez today, ahead of Fanny Smith (SUI) and Ashleigh McIvor (CAN).

After a narrow escape with the weather on the day of the qualification and then resulting snow 20cm over night, the clouds cleared and the 16 ladies finalists were treated to sunny skies and perhaps a softer course than the past few days.

Competitor performs during the FIS men's Skicross World Cup at the Alpe d'Huez ski resort, French Alps. (AFP/Jean-Pierre Clatot)

Kelsey Serwa hailed the spirit within the Canadian team after claiming her first World Cup victory of the season Wednesday in France. Serwa said although she took the glory with a first place finish in Alpe d'Huez, having the support of teammates including Olympic champion Ashleigh McIvor, who was third, has been a big part of her success this season. "We like seeing each other do well," said Serwa, 21. "Every race so far we've been on the podium. It's a reflection of how well we work together. Hopefully everyone gets their turn." There were three Canadians in Wednesday's semi-final, with Serwa and Whistler duo McIvor and Marielle Thompson all vying for a place in the final alongside Ophelie David, of France. Serwa and McIvor worked together to edge out their French rival and make it through.

Serwa lead from start, with McIvor close behind, while Smith was tight in 3rd and Zacher following up in 4th.  In the first roller section, Smith, consider by many, including McIvor, to the best technical skier on the tour, gained 4 meters to be close up McIvor, she eventually pulled smoothly past her, after the ‘butter box’ feature (a set on step off jump), and then she started to move Serwa, but she ran out course.

This was Serwa’s 4th World Cup win and the second of this season.

Zacher, with the 4th place maintains the yellow leaders bib with 260 points, while Kelsey Serwa is 2nd with 249 points. Fanny Smith is 3rd with 247 points and Ashliegh McIvor 4th with 176 points.

FISfreestyle.com
Wednesday 12 January 2011

John Teller (U.S.) won the ski cross finals in St. Johann

USA’s John Teller made history scoring the first World Cup win for an American in Thursday’s skicross race.

Thursday result was a career best for the American Skicross Association skier as he landed on the podium for the second straight event. He started the podium trend in Innichen, Italy last month with third before taking top honors in St. Johann. Teller’s win will go down in the history books for the USA as the first ever American skicross World Cup victory.

“He absolutely killed it! I had a good feeling yesterday when he qualified in fifth,” said American Skicross Association’s and five-time Olympian Casey Puckett. “I know that course. If you have a good start position you have a good chance.” Teller qualified in fifth position for the final rounds. Once in the finals, he didn’t look back sweeping the three heats including his quarterfinal and semifinal on the way to the final four man race. Teller’s competition in the final heat was Nick Zoricic of Canada, who finished second, Thomas Zangerl of Austria in third, and Austria’s Andreas Matt who came in fourth.

“The course in St. Johann is the most technical course on the World Cup and the only course that injects the snow with water,” said Puckett, who was on the USA’s first Olympic skicross team last year. Injecting water into the course makes it much harder, in turn increasing the difficultly level and requiring better skiing abilities. Also, with injection, the landings become much firmer and less forgiving furthering the difficulty.

FISfreestyle.com
Saturday 8 January 2011

First World Cup podium for Zoricic (CAN) in St. Johann

Canada's Zoricic seals first ski cross world cup podium finish, finished second behind John Teller (USA).

Nik Zoricic secured his first career World Cup podium finish in St. Johann by taking second place in a thrilling race. The 27-year-old got off to a flying start in the final and led until the last jump, when John Teller of the USA edged in front to secure victory. Thomas Zangerl (AUT) was third.

"It feels great to get my first podium," said Zoricic. "You need luck and for things to go your way. I had a great start today but I lost the race at the line when I made a little mistake at the bottom. That was a little disappointing but it still feels good to finish second."

Zoricic said being able to share his success with his teammates made the landmark result extra special.

"We have great camaraderie between the guys and the girls as well," he said. "We are all very supportive of each other. When you cross the finish line and your teammates are jumping up and down and are genuinely happy for you, that gives you a great feeling.  On a lot of other teams, it's not like that."

Del Bosco had a slow start in the first heat and was eliminated.

"I'm skiing well but sometimes it doesn't go your way," said Del Bosco. "I made one pass but I couldn't make another one. I'm super-stoked for Nik, though."

"It's great to have a new guy on the podium. It shows the depth of talent we have in Canada," said David Ellis, director of sport for Canada Ski Cross. "Nik is off to a very strong start this season and hopefully the confidence he gets from today will carry him through and be a good motivator for the rest of the team."

Heidi Zacher (GER) was first, followed by Hedda Berntsen (NOR) and Anna Woerner (GER).

FISfreestyle.com
Saturday 8 January 2011