Arosa, Switzerland – U.S. Snowboarding landed two athletes on the final snowboardcross World Cup podium of the season Friday in Arosa with Lindsey Jacobellis, of Stratton Mountain, Vt., second and Iron River, Mich.’s Nick Baumgartner third. Australia’s Alex Pullin won the men’s contest, while Alexandra Jekova of Bulgaria crossed the finish line first for the women.nAfter missing the podium on Thursday, SBX star Jacobellis wasn’t going to let another podium spot go by Friday. Jacobellis qualified for the finals in first, setting the pace for the rest of the day as she raced her way into the large finals.
“It was really challenging with the warm weather,” said Jacobellis, “I have had a tremendous season and won some important events.”
Jacobellis charged out of the start taking the hole shot and leading most of the way before Thursday’s winner Jekova made an impressive pass to clinch her second victory in 24 hours.
“I wasn’t planning on competing in the World Cup as intensely this year,” said Jacobellis. “I am very proud of my season, after missing the first couple of World Cups I was able to come back and have some success.”
Jacobellis ended the season placing third in the SBX World Cup standings with 3610 points. Dominique Maltais of Canada clinched the SBX World Cup globe after Thursday’s race in Arosa and concluded her season with 4800 points, while Jekova was second with 4040 points.
“The World Championships were my main goal,” said Jekova. “After I won it, I realized that I could win the Globe so I switched directions. It’s tough to change goals in a running season. That I made it is just unreal.”
In the men’s large finals, Baumgartner, who qualified for finals in third, kept the momentum going advancing to the large finals. With many of the top SBX riders eliminated to the small final, the six riders in the large final charged down the course with eyes set on the podium.
Baumgartner ended an incredible season grabbing a podium spot in third. Luca Matteotti of Italy finished second and Pullin took the top spot, and in so doing won his first World Cup.
“Getting on the podium springboards me into the next season” said Baumgartner, 2011 X games Gold Medalists. “I’ve learned what I need to work on, and next year I am going for everything.”
Pullin took full advantage of the opportunity, clinching the SBX overall World Cup title with 3270 points. Followed closely behind in second was Pierre Vaultier of France with 3210 points, who merely had to reach Friday’s finals to clinch the Cup but lost his grip on the lead Friday when he crashed into the spectator stands. Jonathon Cheever, of Saugus, Mass., ended his season finishing third in the overall standings with 2690 points.
“This season was one of the tightest ones we ever had. Everybody was riding unreal,” said Pullin. “It’s hard to stay consistent in boarder cross over a whole season. Winning it in the end with a small margin is amazing. It’s even better to win the last race, the one which matters, and win the title.”
Friday’s race concluded the SBX World Cup season.
OFFICIAL RESULTS
FIS World Cup
Arosa, Switzerland – March 25, 2011
Snowboardcross
Men
1. Alex Pullin, Australia
2. Luca Matteotti, Italy
3. Nick Baumgarnter, Iron River, MI
Women
1. Alexandra Jekova, Bulgaria
2. Lindsey Jacobellis, Stratton Mountain, VT
3. Nelly Moenne Loccoz, France