Jasey-Jay Anderson made history at the end of the 2001 season as the first Canadian to become the FIS overall World Cup Champion. He was also the first Canadian to finish first in the world championship giant slalom, and was first in the World Cup snowboard cross (SBX) rankings.
This season he could make history again, winning the overall title for the second year in a row.
The 26-year-old from Val-Morin has continued to dominate on the SBX circuit this season and holds first place with 3,700 points. In second with 3,590 points is Whistler’s Drew Neilson.
While he has had a disappointing race season compared to last year, he is eighth in the GS, 16 th in the parallel giant slalom, and 19 th in the parallel slalom to rank second overall on the snowboard points lists with 706. He also competed in a World Cup Big Air competition, something that few other racers on the circuit can claim.
Ahead of him by 13 points is Mathieu Bozzetto of France, who has been solid in alpine events this season. Nicolas Huet of France is third with just 550 points.
Last weekend, Anderson gained a little more on Bozetto with his second SBX win of the season in Ruka Finland. Neilson was a close second in the final heat, followed by Alexander Koller of Austria and Eric Warren of the U.S.
"I was in trouble with the starts all day," said Anderson. "I was just looking… to be the first out of the (gate) in the last heat. Also I had Drew next to me who has had good starts all day except for the last run and I think that’s the reason I was able to get ahead of him.
"I kind of cut it too close today and have been pretty lucky in the semi-finals but I’m happy I won.
"I kind of got the feeling back for my riding, especially after yesterday in the slalom (where Anderson was 30 th ). We hadn’t done it much all year because of the Olympics and it felt so good again yesterday. Also the pressure is off, so everyone’s happy."
According to Anderson he spent most of the year training, testing equipment and technique, for the Olympic parallel giant slalom, where he finished in 29 th place.
"I sacrificed the year for the one even which I didn’t produce in."
There is just one event remaining this season, the World Cup finals in Tandadalen, Sweden this weekend, where Anderson will compete in the parallel giant slalom, parallel slalom, and snowboard cross events.
