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Dominique Maltais Wins the LG Snowboardcross FIS World Cup, Maëlle Ricker finishes in third
Four podiums in four races for Maltais
Collingwood, ON (February 8, 2012)
Dominique Maltais from Petite-Rivière-St-François, QC, took the LG Snowboardcross FIS World Cup at Blue Mountain by storm this week, qualifying first yesterday and keeping her rhythm all the way through the finals to win her first World Cup race of the season.
There is no doubt Maltais is now the dominant force in women's snowboardcross after today’s victory at Blue Mountain. Maltais came in to this race fresh off a win at Winter X-Games and back to back podiums at the two previous World Cups.
The win today puts Maltais in first place on the FIS Snowboardcross leaderboard, passing her American rival Lindsay Jacobellis, who is now out for the season.
“I’m really happy as I’ve been pushing myself to get to this level the last few years,” said Dominique Maltais.” “Blue Mountain is nice and the Village is great. I think they did a great job with the course,” she added.
Maëlle Ricker from Squamish, BC, is also on a roll with two third places in a row and her first podium on the World Cup Tour this season. Today’s podium is further proof that Ricker is on her way back from an injury that kept her on the side lines for most of last season.
“I’m getting there slowly, not quite as fast as I would like to be. I just have to be patient,” said Maelle Ricker.
“It’s good to be back on the World Cup podium. I had trouble keeping my speed up in the top section, an area where Dom and Alex are really fast. I got off to a good start in the finals, but those two got ahead of me, I looked for ways to get past Alex but I just ran out of course,” continued Ricker.
“It was a super fun weekend, the event organizers did an awesome job! Hopefully we will be back next year and for years to come.”
Rob Fagan from Cranbrook, BC, was the fastest Canadian on the men's side finishing in 13th place, followed by Kevin Hill from Vernon, BC in 17th.
Results:
Women’s: 1st Dominique Maltais (CAN)
2nd Alexandra Jekova (BUL)
3rd Maëlle Ricker (CAN)
16th Tayler Wilton (CAN)
17th Carle Brenneman (CAN)
19th Michelle Brodeur (CAN)
23rd Jade Critchlow (CAN)
25th Sara Niblock (CAN)
24th Frederique Joncas (CAN)
26th Justine Cote (CAN)
Men’s: 1st Pierre Vaultier (FRA)
2nd David Speiser (GER)
3rd Nick Baumgartner (USA)
13th Rob Fagan (CAN)
17th Kevin Hill (CAN)
30th Pierce Smith (CAN)
31st Matthew Tunnicliffe (CAN)
32nd Pat Tunnicliffe (CAN)
39th Thomas Pitman (CAN)
55th Justin Pasutto (CAN)
56th Dan Csokonay (CAN)
58th Mitch Pitman (CAN)
For more information on the LG Snowboardcross FIS World Cup and the complete results, please see the following link:
http://www.fis-ski.com/uk/604/1228.html?cal_suchsector=SB&event_id=31354
Maltais and Vaultier win Snowboard Cross in Blue Mountain
Blue Mountain, ON (February 9, 2012)
Dominique Maltais (CAN) and Pierre Vaultier (FRA) have won the season's fourth boarder cross race at the 2012 LG Snowboard FIS World Cup in Blue Mountain, Ontario and thus were able to take over the lead in the SBX World Cup ranking.
While the 31-year-old best qualifier was able to dominate the women's final celebrating her season's first World Cup win ahead of Alexandra Jekova (BUL) and Maelle Ricker (CAN), it was an even tougher ride for the 24-year-old Frenchman earning his career's 13th.
It was a crash of reigning World Champion Alex Pullin (AUS) right before the last jump of the track which opened the door for the two-time World Cup title winner to bring home victory ahead of David Speiser (GER) and Nick Baumgartner (USA) who had crossed the finish line head to head.
According to this “gift victory”, Vaultier stated in the finish area: “That doesn't feel like a first rank for me. Chumpy (Alex Pullin) was the king today and led the whole way down. He would have deserved the win. When he crashed, I just had to pass him. But it was an incredible fight with Chumpy.”
The beaten rider from down under who ended up fourth drew a similar line and quoted that he had enjoyed the battle with Vaultier but understandable enough had some mixed feelings about the final ranking – which also provided a historical first as Luis Marin Tarroch became the first Andorran rider to ever finish in the top-5.
“I'm pretty bumped on the side of the results. It sucks to have the win in the bag and lose it on the last jump.”
Before that twist of fate, Pullin and Vaultier had showcased boarder cross racing at its best with board to board action and slight touches on the ground and in the air.
“At one point Pierre (Vaultier) was in front so I had to take a very tight inside line. This put me a bit straighter on the last jump. I expected him to be still there and I just tried to cut it, well, a bit hard. With the bumps, the board just went away and I crashed,” recapped the Australian top gun, who finally took the best out of it.
“I'm really happy with my riding. That’s the main thing for me this year. If I would have won, the day would have been perfect.”
However, victory was deserved to his French rival who is now also leading the race for the World Cup title with 2.632 points. However, although honoured with the yellow bib of the current World Cup leader, Vaultier said: “I might lead the World Cup now but I will not comment on this. There are three more races to go. It's still a long way.”
It seems, that the ninth ranked rider of the last Olympics hasn't forgotten that he lost last season's Crystal Globe in the very last race to Alex Pullin.
Queen Dom dominates first ever World Cup in Ontario
While the battle was tight on the men's side, Dominique Maltais once again delivered impressive proof that she can bring it all together in the time trials and in the heat finals.
“I like it when I've a good quali, especially when I have a lot of advantage over the other girls like yesterday. That gives me a lot of confidence.”
Due to this confidence and perfect skills which actually would have earned her a spot in the men's final (her qualifier time would have ranked her 34th among the men) her rivals didn't have even a slight chance to keep up with the 2006 Olympic Bronze medalist.
“I tried to keep up with Dominique (Maltais) but it was almost impossible for me today. I couldn't catch her after she rode away in the roller section,” said runner-up Alexandra Jekova who was busy enough to block off Olympic Champion Maeller Ricker in the battle for second.
Left all alone in front, Maltais, who leads the World Cup ranking with 3,200 points, crossed the finish line with a comfortable lead earning her career's 25th podium and 7th victory, much to the joy of the Canadian fans in the finish area.
“It's nice to win on home turf although I was focusing on winning in Stoneham. However, Blue Mountain is also home. There were a lot of people watching the Canadians so I wanted to do well.”
The LG Snowboard FIS World Cup continues in Stoneham and Quebec, Canada, from February 20 through 26.
Final Results - Women
1 MALTAIS Dominique CAN
2 JEKOVA Alexandra BUL
3 RICKER Maelle CAN
Final Results – Men
1 VAULTIER Pierre FRA
2 SPEISER David GER
3 BAUMGARTNER Nick USA
Injury ends Susanne Moll's season
Blue Mountain, ON (February 9, 2012)
The Austrian rider broke her legs after crashing down hard in the snowboard cross race held yesterday at Blue Mountain, Ontario.
The Vorarlberg resident not only fractured her left fibula but also broke her right navicular bone when she fell hard on the ground after battling for position with French rider Deborah Anthonioz in her eight final.
The accident took place right after the pack of six came out of turn one and went for a double roller.
“Although I was already far right to the course, she (Anthonioz) came close to my line and closed the door. There was no space for me to go more right as there was a gate right in the way. And on the left side, there was Anthonioz,” Moll said in a press release sent out by the Austrian Federation.
“When I took off at the knuckle, I hit the gate a bit, lost control in the air and landed on the front side edge. I immediately felt pain and knew that my legs were hurt.”
An X-ray image taken in the hospital nearby showed that the 24-year-old unfortunately was right and that her season had come to an early end.
“It's hard when the doctor tells you that you broke your legs. Luckily, the fractures are not that complicated so I don't have to undergo surgery. I will fly home and will visit my local doctors once again,” added Moll who had to cope with several other injuries already in the most recent past.
In 2009, she suffered a head injury and broke her ribs in Chapelco, Argentina. Last year, she broke her right navicular bone at the X-Games.
Check out the SBX World Cup course at Blue Mountain from the riders' view on training day (February 6, 2012) and hear what some of them have to say!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=jtAyvN6G8OU
Team Canada visits local High School
Stayner, ON (February 6, 2012) - Four SBX riders from Team Canada visited the local high school in Stayner today for a short meet and greet.
Rob Fagan, Dan Csokonay, Kevin Hill and Jake Holden took some time after their training session at Blue Mountain for the first ever SBX World Cup in Ontario to answer the questions of about 600 kids who showed up at Stayner Collegiate Institute.
“It was great to meet a group of kids that had so much energy. They asked a lot of good questions and were really interested in getting to know the sport. Hopefully they come watch the race on Wednesday,” said Rob Fagan, the oldest Canadian (35 years) to enter tomorrow's qualifiers.
According to the local OC Fagan can be pleased as some 350 school kids will be transported to the World Cup venue at Wednesday to cheer for their national riders and al the other international racers.
“It was a fun afternoon. The organizing committee put on a video of snowboard cross highlights which was great. Then we answered questions and gave away some UnderArmour prizing. I think the kids had a good time. Maybe one day one of them will be on the National Team,” stated Dan Csokonay.
Sunny Training Day at Blue Mountain
Blue Mountain, ON (February 6, 2012) - Weather couldn't have been any better for the official training day at Blue Mountain, offering some pretty nice views of the Georgian Bay nearby.
On the other hand, the warm conditions made the course pretty challenging as the sunny parts of the track provided some slushy turns and jumps whereas the shadow sections were pretty rough and icy.
A fact which current World Cup leader and six-time X-Games SBX Gold medalist Nate Holland (USA) commented on with the right words: “Well, you actually had to snowboard.”
And so, most riders seemed to have fun out there and did between three to five training runs in order to get into the rhythm of the brand new World Cup course at Blue Mountain.
It's the first time ever the biggest winter resort in Ontario is hosting a World Cup boarder cross after having been part of the ski cross calendar three-times.
Qualifiers (men, women following up) for the season's fourth SBX of the tour are scheduled for Feb 7th beginning at 10:45 AM.
Challenging Course at Blue Mountain
Blue Mountain, ON (Friday 3 February 2012) - The LG Snowboard FIS World Cup at Blue Mountain, Ontario, brings the season's 4th SBX – and a course rich in variety built by Jeff Ihaksi (CAN).
Course builder Jeff Ihaksi, a former World Cup racer with a fourth rank as career's best in 1999 and two-time national champion 1998 and 2000, has put together a diverse running line plus a total of 34 estimated features and 17 estimated airs.
The approximately 1,200 meter long course meanders down several slopes at Blue Mountain through seven banked corners and includes some roller and ramp airs such as high jumps, step ups, step overs and step downs.
Ihaksi, Director of White Industries Ltd, is pretty psyched about the course. "There are many reasons to like the course at Blue Mountain. It has a diverse running line that has a long start section followed by a long straight away which is ideal for Cross racing."
According to the father of two, the upper course has a wide-open feel with limited amount of turns and wanders nicely through the terrain on the upper trails on Blue Mountain.
"Look for the athletes to carry good gliding speed over the rhythm jumps and rollers found in this section," says the 38-year-old course designer.
The course then has a drastic tempo change where it comes onto Smart Alec, a run that descends down the front face of Blue Mountain. The gradients of the run become steeper which leads to a tightened up course with more turns and fall away airs.
Ihaksi, who is married to former Halfpipe World Cup rider Tara Teigen, explains: "Look for lots of passing through the corners of the lower section as the athletes descend down to the finish."
The Pemberton, B.C. resident also hopes that everyone, organizers as well as riders, will benefit from the location of the resort.
"The great thing about Blue is the amount of people centralized around the mountain. With Toronto nearby there shouldn’t be any shortage of spectators on hand to check out the action."
Course Details:
Estimated running length – 1200 meters
Estimated number of features – 34
Estimated number of airs – 17
Roller airs – 8
Ramp airs – 9
Ramp airs include:
hip jump right
hip jump left
step ups
step overs
step downs
Number of banked corners – 7
Season's fourth snowboard cross in Canada
Blue Mountain, ON (February 2, 2012)
On February 7 and 8, Blue Mountain will host the 2012 LG Snowboard FIS World Cup season's fourth snowboard cross race. Only a few days after the ski cross racers were visiting the biggest winter sport resort in Ontario situated in the Georgian Bay some 150 km north of Toronto, it's time for the boarder cross aces to ride down the 1,200 meters long course designed and build by Jeff Ihaksi (CAN).
The World Cup host debut of Blue Mountain, which will be the first stop of the international contest series in Ontario and also the eighth World Cup venue in Canada after Calgary, AB, Sun Peaks, BC, Whistler, BC, Mt. St. Anne, QC, Stoneham/Quebec, QC, Le Relais, QC and Cypress, BC, have been part so far, will feature the crème de la crème of boarder cross.
Besides X-Games champions Nate Holland (USA) and Dominique Maltais (CAN) almost every one of the world best will battle for victory except of women's World Cup leader Lindsey Jacobellis (USA) and 2006 and 2010 Olympic Champion Seth Wescott (USA).
While Wescott tore his pectoral muscle in a crash with Markus Schairer (AUT) at the first snowboard cross race at Veysonnaz, Switzerland, a few weeks ago, and thus had to accept a longer race break, Jacobellis had to quit her season due to a torn ACL (left knee) after overshooting the last kicker of the X-Games course in a training run.
Especially the season's end of the reigning World Champion mixes up the women's World Cup ranking as the 26-years-old from Stratton, Vermont, was the unbeaten rider in the three World Cup races held so far (3,000 points).
According to this, the race for the title and thus the Crystal Globe seems to be a duel between Maltais (2,200) and Alexandra Jekova (BUL, 1,800).
On the men's side, the battle is also tight as Holland (1,940) hasn't got a big lead. Pierre Vaultier (FRA, 1,632), Andrey Boldykov (RUS, 1,420) and Markus Schairer (AUT, 1,269) are all within reach.
SBX ATHLETES INVITED TO PARTICIPATE IN THE FEBRUARY WORLD CUPS
Vancouver, BC (January 30, 2012) - In accordance with the 2011-2012 Selection Protocol for SBX World Cups, the athletes listed below have been invited to represent Canada at the Blue Mountain, ON and Stoneham, QC World Cups in the SBX discipline.
Men:
Dan Csokonay (Calgary, AB)
Robert Fagan (Squamish, BC)
Kevin Hill (Vernon, BC)
Matt Tunnicliffe (Vancouver, BC)
Pierce Smith (Caledon, ON)
Robert Ritchie (Calgary, AB)
Indrik Trahan (Trois-Rivières, QC)
Thomas Pitman (Trail, BC)
Justin Pasutto (Calgary, AB)
Mitch Pitman (Trail, BC)
Pat Tunnicliffe (Vancouver, BC)
Women:
Maelle Ricker (Squamish, BC)
Dominique Maltais (Petite-Riviere-St Francois, QC)
Carle Brenneman (Whistler, BC)
Michelle Brodeur (Calgary, AB)
Jade Critchlow (Kelowna, BC)
Frederique Joncas (North Vancouver, BC)
Tayler Wilton (Collingwood, ON)
Sara Niblock (Whistler, BC)
Dominique Maltais Wins the Women’s Snowboardcross Event at the X- Games - Maelle Ricker joins Maltais on the podium with a third place finish
Aspen, CO (January 28, 2012) - Dominique Maltais from Petite-Rivière-St-François, QC, one of the best Snowboardcross athletes in the world, further solidified her elite status today by winning her first X-Games gold medal. A victory at the X-Games is a major accomplishment and one that Dominique can add to an already impressive resume. Maltais, an Olympic Bronze Medalist, has been a dominant rider throughout her career, especially over the last two seasons in which she has been a threat to win in every race.
“Winning at the X-Games was one of my goals this year and I’m really happy to have achieved it,” said Maltais after the race. “I have been to the X-Games three times and this is my first win at this major event.“
Maelle Ricker from Squamish, BC, finished in third position. This was Ricker’s first podium since returning from injury.
“It feels good to be back on the podium,” said Ricker over the phone after the race. “I put a lot of pressure on myself this week. Even if I’m not totally happy with the way I rode, I couldn’t be happier with the result.”
Results:
1st Dominique Maltais (CAN)
2nd Alexandra Jekova (BUL)
3rd Maelle Ricker (CAN)
Canadian snowboarders are having a strong showing at the Winter X-Games so far, picking-up two gold, two bronze and a silver medal. The Slopestyle final is set for this evening and will feature Mark McMorris and Sebastien Toutant as favourites for Canada.
Lindsey Jacobellis and Andrey Boldykov win first snowboard cross at Veysonnaz
Thursday 19 January 2012
Lindsey Jacobellis (USA) and Andrey Boldykov (RUS) have won the first out of two snowboard cross races scheduled in Veysonnaz, Switzerland and thus the season's second sbx competition of the 2012 LG Snowboard FIS World Cup.
While the US-American claimed her career's 25th World Cup win by relegating Alexandra Jekova (BUL) and Dominique Maltais (CAN) to second and third respectively, Russia's historical triumphant successfully competed in the men's final edging off top guns Nate Holland (USA) and Pierre Vaultier (FRA) to the second and third spot respectively.
It was the first ever win for a Russian rider in the Snowboard Cross World Cup, the first Russian SBX podium ever since 2002. Almost ten years to the day Maria Tikhvinskaja came in second in a snowboard cross race held in Bardonecchia, Italy (JAN 18, 2002).
According to this, the 28-years-old rider, who had never placed on a World Cup podium in his 28 starts before, was all smiles: “I'm super stoked. It was really some hard work but this is a massive success for Russia.”
However, the biggest surprise of a day put it all together due to some very good starts on a course, on which riders wanted to be in one of the front spots before entering the more narrow turn section with full speeds due to the steep first section, which is unique in the World Cup tour.
“I was working hard and long for this and constantly improved myself, step by step. However, I didn't expect anything like this today.”
Especially as there was a lot of fighting for spots going on in today's heats leading to several crashes.
“I saw some carnage today in turn two. It happened in two of my heats,” said Nate Holland, who finally finished as runner-up.
“You pick your line and stick to it. It's kind of no matter what comes. Of course you try to avoid something like this, so it's all last minute. You can't really prepare for it. You just kind of react. Luckily, I was able to avoid some crashes today and push through into the finals,” added the second best qualifier.
But then, the Lake Tahoe resident played a major role in the finals as he did protest against Mateusz Ligocki.
“Pierre (Vaultier) and Andrey (Boldykov) had really good starts. Coming into turn one I thought I would be able to make a move but I had Mateusz (Ligocki) latched on to my back. I think I pulled him some 50 feet down the hill until I got his hand off my back.”
As the protest successfully went through, his Polish rival got bumped down from third to sixth enabling Vaultier to round out the podium as third.
“I mean, I like Ligocki as a person but it's strictly business. Who would have known if I would have had more speed what the end result would have been. It was about making a point of not to grab me,” summed up Holland.
No wonder, that Ligocki had a totally different point of view. “Of course I'm disappointed that I got disqualified in the finals. I mean, we are six guys in a heat fighting for the spots. So there is a lot of touching,” explained the World Cup veteran, who was one of the last athletes to compete in all different World Cup disciplines.
“For sure I didn't grab Nate (Holland) although I did touch him. I always try to ride as fair as possible. And that was fair.”
While there was a lot of fighting and battling for the spots going on the mens side, Jacobellis was able to experience a more calmer race day knowing that things don't have to turn out good everytime.
“Last time I came here I was in a bit of a tangle up, so this was vast improvement. Two years ago, Alexandra (Jekova) landed on me right before the last corner and we all ended up in a big pile up. Thereafter, I even didn't race the consolidation run,” recalled the reigning World Champion who brought home her 25th World Cup win in her 56th start.
“I was riding very well. I wasn't the first out of the start but once I started working the features I could establish the lead. So I was very happy how I was able to put the course together. I felt good every single run.”
According to her performance, the 26-years-old top qualifier from Stratton, Vermont, is definitely the women to beat out there when the World Cup continues on Saturday and Sunday (JAN 21 - 22) with the season's third snowboard cross race although today's runner-up Alexandra Jekova is hoping to be a tougher rival.
“I'm really happy but I know that I can do better. I have a couple of things to work on for the next days. I hope I can get even better. I will try to ride smoother and more direct. So, I hope that will make me faster.”
Lindsey Jacobellis and Pierre Vaultier win season's first snowboard cross
TELLURIDE, CO, USA (Dec. 16) – Lindsey Jacobellis (USA) and Pierre Vaultier (FRA) have clinched victory in the first snowboard cross race of the 2012 LG Snowboard FIS World Cup which took place in Telluride, CO, today. The US girl successfully competed in the women's final against last year's winner Dominique Maltais (CAN) and Deborah Anthonioz (FRA) and thus locked in the first ever victory of an US athlete in Telluride. Chloe Trespeuch (FRA), 2010 Olympic Champion Maelle Ricker (CAN) and Alexandra Jekova (BUL) missed the podium finishing fourth, fifth and sixth respectively.
On the men's side, it was once again Mr. Telluride Pierre Vaultier, who stood out. The 24-years-old Frenchman celebrated his three-peat on the Misty Maiden course by edging off Christopher Robanske (CAN) and Nick Baumgartner (USA) in a heart beat final to second and third. Maximilian Stark (GER), Markus Schairer (AUT) and Omar Visintin (ITA) ranked fourth to sixth respectively.
The LG Snowboard FIS World Cup continues with the season's sole team snowboard cross scheduled for tomorrow in Telluride. In addition, the finals of the season's third Halfpipe World Cup competition will take place in Ruka, Finland, tomorrow, too.
Key facts
Lindsey Jacobellis secures the first ever win of an US-American in Telluride
Close battle for victory between Jacobellis and Maltais
Pierre Vaultier remains unbeaten in Telluride winning again in 2011 after having been
the top gun in 2009 and 2010 before
First ever appearances in the finals and thus career's best results for Robanske,
Trespeuch, Stark and Visintin
24th World Cup win for Jacobellis in 55 starts
12th World Cup win for Vaultier in 37 starts
Quotes
Lindsey Jacobellis (USA): It seems that it's always me to do a first (World Cup win). I don't know if its my training program or how everything came together for me today. I just had a lot of fun. It was a great course.
I noticed that Dominique (Maltais) was right behind me. I could hear her, I could see
shadows. I knew she was there. No mistakes could be made because I know she would have capitalized of that. So I was trying to stay as low as possible because I know she glides very well.
Such a close race makes me really focus and pay attention. You can't be just riding down smoothly to the finish. It makes you pull any piece of energy which you possibly may have left out of your system.
Dominique Maltais (CAN): It was a very close race. I tried to pass her in the middle but the line I chose turned out to be way to slow. It was a good battle, a good race. I'm happy.
Pierre Vaultier (FRA): It's amazing, it's unreal to win three times in a row. But this years win is special. It was the first race of the season and I didn't recognize myself.
In addition, it was the first race on a new board, with new bindings. Such a win removes all doubts wether it was the right decision for this change or not. It was worth it!
I don't know why I haven't been beaten on this course. It's nothing special to me. It's a race like all others. And I want to win the races.
Christopher Robanske (CAN): I had ten months off, did some recovery as I broke my back at the X-Games last season. So, this is an amazing way to come back strong. I'm super happy.
I rode as hard as I could and with no regrets. And here we are. It was a close battle with Pierre (Vaultier). He is a big idol of mine. I watch a lot of his riding. So I'm super stoked to be right behind him.
Results
Final results women: http://www.fis-ski.com/pdf/2012/SB/7065/7065RLR0.pdf
Final ladder women: http://www.fis-ski.com/pdf/2012/SB/7065/7065RLRF.pdf
Final results men: http://www.fis-ski.com/pdf/2012/SB/7067/7067RLR0.pdf
Final ladder men: http://www.fis-ski.com/pdf/2012/SB/7067/7067RLRF.pdf
