LG FIS WorldCup 2009 – Boardercross (SBX)

Snowboard Cross or boardercross as most people like to referrer to it as, is an event that challenges a rider’s abilities to maintain control throughout a down hill course. These courses contain turns, gaps, berms, drops, steep sections as well as flat areas which all ensure that the riders do not have the easiest of times speeding down the course. The riders also have to make sure they do no collide with each other as they traverse down the course to the finish line as fast as possible.

Cypress Mountain was host to the LG FIS WorldCup 2009 event which consists of 3 snowboarding events; Boardercross (SBX), Half-Pipe and PGS (Parallel Giant Slalom).

LG FIS WorldCup 2009 – Boardercross (SBX)

Friday (February 13th 2009) was the Boardercross Finals for both Men and Woman.

The action was pretty intense as the athletes maneuvered down the course at high speeds in groups of 4 riders per heat. There were a few collisions, but that is not unexpected in a Boardercross race. The groups usually stay closely packed together as they ride over jumps and berms. One wrong edge and you would easily drop to last place in your heat. The fastest 2 riders would continue on to the next race.

All of the riders were highly entertaining throughout the course, especially the last largest jump at the finish line. As the day progressed, the crowd got more and more into the action as the riders would entertain them just before the finish line.

When Robyn and I first talked about Boardercross and the 2010 Winter Olympics we were a bit hesitant on putting our names in for it as we did not think it would be much of a spectator event. Even though we did not win tickets for the boardercross, after watching the LG FIS WorldCup 2009 Boardercross event it would be something we would definitely recommend people trying to get out and seeing if they have an opportunity.

LG FIS WorldCup 2009 Final Standings

Womens

• 1: Lindsey Jacobellis USA
• 2: Olivia Nobs SUI
• 3: Helene Olafsen NOR
• 4: Maelle Ricker CAD

Mens

• 1: Markus Schairer AUT
• 2: Mike Robertson CAD
• 3: Seth Wescott USA
• 4: Francois Boivin CAD

A lot of the athletes who participated in this event will be competing during the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics as well. It was a great opportunity to see the best at Bordercross compete on one of our local mountains. The spectators who will be attending the 2010 Winter Olympic Boardercross at Cypress Mountain will definitely love watching these riders race down the course for their chance at the Gold.

All Photos by: Tyler Ingram

Filed Under: Events, Mountain Talk, Snowboarding
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