After landing top results in alpine events, Mont Tremblant’s Jasey Jay Anderson put himself back on top of the snowboardcross podium after a long absence with an aggressive performance at Berchtesgaden, Germany – and a little bit of good fortune.
"I definitely had luck on my side today," said Anderson, who jumped to the lead after Xavier Delerue of France crashed while leading in the final. "Xavier was the fastest athlete out there today, but I struggled hard to keep pace with him and be on top again. That put me in a position to take advantage of his mistake and cross the line first."
Anderson was joined on the podium by teammate Francois Boivin, 21, of Jonquiere, Quebec who earned the first World Cup medal of his career.
"This was an awesome day for me and I’m so excited," said Boivin. "I have never been in the final before and I’m very pleased with my result. It will give me a lot of confidence for the remainder of the season."
Tom Velisek of Nelson was 13 th and Rob Fagan of Cranbrook was 22 nd . Drew Neilson of Whistler didn’t advance after finishing 48 th in qualification.
Lukas Gruener of Austria finished second, sandwiched between Anderson and Boivin.
In the women’s competition, Dominique Maltais of Charelvoix, Quebec claimed her second podium of the season and the bronze medal.
Maltais was strong all day, winning every heat until she reached the finals. She also had the lead in the finals, when an error cost her the win.
Line Obestvold of Norway took the women’s gold medal, and Manuela Riegler of Austria was second.
After putting three riders on the podium Saturday, the Canadian team had a rough time on Sunday with Anderson falling in the parallel giant slalom qualifier. Jerome Sylvestre of Bromont, Quebec had better luck but finished well back of the pack in 23 rd place.
Aimee Newton of Calgary was fifth after the qualifier, but was bumped all the way back to 21 st in the competition. Alexa Loo of Richmond and Whistler was 15 th after her first run, but had to settle for 24 th overall.
