Zoe Gillings, Britain’s number one Snowboardcross athlete continued her seasons storming success today, Friday 22nd February, when she finished in an excellent 2nd place at the FIS World Cup Snowboardcross competition in Japan.

Following her 4th place result at last weekends World Cup event in Korea, Zoe firmly had her sights set on a podium finish in her next World Cup competition. Today in Japan, Zoe made that happen when she successfully knocked out a multiple of World Class riders to take silver, moving her into 4th place in the World Cup Rankings.

Charging her way through to the finals despite the changing snow conditions, Zoe demonstrated her strength and ability, as she headed into the final heat against Lindsey Jacobellis (USA), Maelle Ricker (CAN) and Mellie Francon (SUI). From the start of the final, Zoe had a disadvantage due to her allocated lane but stayed strong and showed her experience by passing Mellie Francon in the first burm. Zoe subsequently passed Lindsey Jacobellis securing a well fought out and deserved 2nd place. Zoe who was all smiles after the race commented, "Woohoo" I’m stoked, its amazing to be back on the podium, and I’m really please I was able to pass two girls and catch up a little bit to Maelle, id really like to take gold next time”
Results
1st – Maelle Ricker (CAN)
2nd – Zoe Gillings, (GBR)
3rd – Mellie Francon (SUI)
4th – Lindsey Jacobellis (USA)

British World Cup Snowboardcross team member, James Foster also competed in Japan and finished in a respectable 44th place out of 60 competitors. Zoe Gillings will next be heading out to Lake Placid, USA on the 1st March to compete in the seventh FIS World Cup event of the season.



For regular team news updates subscribe for FREE to the “Across the Board” newsletter at www.snowsportsgb.com

The British Snowboard Team would like to thank the following for their invaluable support: Sponsors: Zoom Airlines - www.flyzoom.com, Halliwells - www.halliwells.co.uk, FOGG - www.fogginsure.co.uk and Junior Squad sponsors, TSA – www.snowboardasylum.com and SNO!zone – www.snozone.co.uk Funding organisations: UK Sport – www.uksport.gov.uk, TASS – www.tass.gov.uk, Sport Scotland – www.sportscotland.org.uk, BOA - www.boa.org.uk