SNOWBOARD WORLD CUP. The US-American team has dominated the season’s fourth snowboard cross of the LG Snowboard FIS World Cup today. While Lindsey Jacobellis (USA) had her way in the women’s final in Stoneham, Quebec, her fellow countryman Nick Baumgartner was victorious in the men’s field. In the final, the reigning World Champion relegated World Cup leader Dominique Maltais (CAN) as well as Deborah Anthonioz (FRA) and Jaqueline Hernandez (USA) to the second to fourth spot respectively. Baumgartner crossed the finish line in the men’s final of the sole sbx race in Canada ahead of his team mate Jonathan Cheever (USA) and David Speiser (GER). Kevin Hill of Canada finished fourth.

With their wins today, Jacobellis and Baumgartner tied on to their outstanding performances at the last X-Games when both had won Gold end of last January. In addition, it was the season’s first World Cup win for both in the current season. Thus, the reigning World Champion was very content with her riding: “It’s great and nice to do it at the East coast,” said the 25-years-old from Stratton, Vermont.

“I did have a slow start to my season but I won the events I wanted to win: World Championships and X-Games. This is like a bonus. I’m very excited to have done well on this course as it was very technical.”

In the end, it was her deliberated performance which secured her the win as Jacobellis crossed the finish line just ahead of Dominique Maltais who was undefeated in the current World Cup season until today. “I knew she was going to be right on my tail so making any mistakes was not an option. I could hear her, so I was trying to take away lines.”

Successfully, as Maltais came in just one or two board lengths behind of the 2006 Olympic Silver medallist. “It was very close but I can’t win them all. So, I’m really happy with that second place,” explained Maltais, the best qualifier of yesterday’s time trials. Due to 800 more World Cup points, the 30-years-old was able to extend her lead in the SBX rankings (3,800) thus leading with 1,600 points over her team mate Maelle Ricker (2,200). But the season of the 2010 Olympic Champion is already over after Ricker broke her left hand at the last World Championships. Thus, the biggest threat comes from Alexandra Jekova (BUL, 1,960) sitting in third as well as from Deborah Anthonioz (1,760) and Jacobellis (1,450).

“I don’t think about the title that much but take it step by step. If this brings me the Crystal Globe in the end, it would be a nice end of the season.” Especially as it could be the last for her. “I will decide after the last race if I keep on competing.”

Baumgartner with career’s second World Cup win

On the men’s side, Nick Baumgartner wasn’t to beat at all. After the 29-years-old had already posted the best time in yesterday’s qualifiers, the father of one son also impressively dominated today’s knock out heats thus bringing home his career’s second World Cup win quite rightly. “After all this season’s I have been doing I was talking to myself ‘Man you are a veteran know. If you want to make an impact on this sport you should start doing it’. And then it happens, X-Games and now here. I’m happy, I can’t be happier,” Baumgartner said.

With this win, the rider from Iron River, Michigan, stepped up to rank nine of the World Cup table (1,140) being 630 points behind of the new leader from Australia, Alex Pullin (1,770). However, there will be two more races, possibly three. “Now, I will go home and rest for a while. Then I will go to Europe hopefully finish it off with two more.”

After today’s snowboard cross, the LG Snowboard World Cup continues with the season’s third halfpipe contest scheduled for tomorrow.

FISsnowboard.com
Friday 18 February 2011