Jacobellis and Hayler take home Gold in Bad Gastein’s 2nd Snowboard Cross.

The fourth Snowboard Cross of the 2009 LG Snowboard FIS World Cup wrapped up today with two more than just enthralling final heats with Lindsey Jacobellis (USA) and Damon Hayler (AUS) celebrating victory on the Bucheben hill in Bad Gastein. In the ladies’ final of the second race in Austria’s ski resort, the US-American secured her career’s 16th World Cup win due to a brilliant passing manoeuvre against Dominique Maltais edging the so far leading rider to the second rank. Zoe Gillings (GBR) came in third ahead of Alexandra Jekova (BUL). On the men’s side, Hayler celebrated the first Snowboard Cross triumph for Australia. But he also benefitted from mistakes and crashes of his contenders, especially Graham Watanabe (USA) who got disqualified ending up fourth. In addition, both, second and third ranked Markus Schairer (AUT) and Mike Robertson (CAN) went down.


Women's Podium, Zoe Gillings 2nd from right.

But one thing at time: After the fastest rider of the qualification Markus Schairer had taken the lead quickly after the heat had entered the race course, the Austrian got overtaken by Watanabe in the second bank and squeezed to the fence finally going down. Schairer then had to accept that the other two boarders also passed him. At the final jump, it was Robertson who crashed badly, so Watanabe celebrated together with his team mates thinking he had won ahead of Hayler and Schairer. But right before his passing manoeuvre against Schairer he had missed a gate by running over the inner stubby finally being disqualified and thus making a dream come true for Hayler.

“I take it anywhere I can. I didn’t had any good results and a bit of bad luck lately”, so today’s winner who had placed 32nd yesterday. “I didn’t enjoy yesterday’s 32nd and didn’t feel like this. I definitely didn’t want to go to the World Championships with yesterday’s result. Now, I’m where I wanted to be” said the 32-year-old after his first ever World Cup triumph. In addition, second ranked Austrian Schairer was also pleased: “I guess this is what you call blessing in disguise. Besides this, everyone of all qualified men could have won today. Thus, I’m very pleased to come home with two top-8 results. I have to thank our technician who did a magic job”, so the 21-year-old new World Cup leader after his second runner-up spot within the last three races.

Lindsey Jacobellis again with a victory in Bad Gastein also taking over World Cup lead

After her third rank yesterday, Lindsey Jacobellis once again proved her top Snowboard Cross riding skills. After a vigorous passing, the US-American gave it a whole shot: “I’m really excited that I was able to come back from yesterday with such a solid run.” Especially, as the reigning World Champion, who won’t defend her title in Korea, has a special connection to Bad Gastein: “Since my first time here, I always win at least once. I got two chances this year. It feels good that it worked out again.”

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