Snowboarding: Baumgartner second in Italy SBX

By Pete RughPublished On: March 21st, 2009Comments Off

VALMALENCO, Italy (March 20) – U.S. Snowboarding’s Nick Baumgartner (Iron River, MI) finished things out atop the podium as he took second on Friday during the final World Cup snowboardcross of the season in Italy. It was his second podium of the year.

“It feels good to get that second today and to secure the third in the SBX standings. It is great momentum headed in to the Olympic year,” Baumgartner said.

Baumgartner said that, although he did not win, the chase for the podium was an exciting one thanks to winner Michal Novotny of the Czech Republic.

“I had a really good pull and then on one of the first features Michal Novotny went right by me and he closed the door everywhere I tried to pass, so it was fun to take second,” Baumgartner said.

For Baumgartner, the finish meant more than just a podium – it was a key ingredient to the pursuit of his Olympic dream.

“I knew how important it was to have a great year this year to set myself up for making the Olympic team because we have such depth,” Baumgartner said.

Just behind Baumgartner was Jonathan Cheever (Saugus, MA), who recently made it to his first World Cup podium with a second in Stoneham. Cheever was on his way to what could have been a win when some course contact sent him crashing and landed him in fifth place.

“I was super impressed with Cheever today. He was by far the fastest guy on the hill, no question,” U.S. Snowboarding Snowboardcross Coach Jeff Archibald said. “Unfortunately he got clipped from behind and had his feet taken out from under him, otherwise he would have won today. But I was excited to see him ride that strong.”

Friday’s second place finish bumped Baumgartner up in the SBX World Cup standings to third, just behind teammate Seth Wescott, who is second. Markus Schairer of Austria took the lead.

“I wanted to get that third so bad, so I was just doing what I could. The closest I’ve been was fifth in the past so it was good to be up there. I got a pretty sweet glass medal,” Baumgartner said.

In addition to the placing by Wescott and Baumgartner, Lindsey Jacobellis (Stratton Mountain, VT), who chose not to race in Friday’s final due to a fall in qualifications, took home the first place and the globe in the women’s SBX standings.

Throughout the course of SBX World Cup history the U.S. has never had more than two athletes within the top three of the final SBX standings. The U.S. has also never had two men in the top three together.

“It was great being right there with Seth, but we want all three of them next season,” Baumgartner said.

According to Archibald, the team put everything on the line to finish so well for the season.

“They dug deep and everyone did everything they could to finish strong, which was cool to see,” Archibald said.

Now, it’s time off for the snowboardcross athletes before summer training begins in the lead up to the 2010 Games.

OFFICIAL RESULTS
LG FIS SNOWBOARD WORLD CUP
Valmalenco, Italy – March 20, 2009
Snowboarddcross

Men
1. Michal Novotny, Czech Republic
2. Nick Baumgartner, Iron River, MI
3. David Speiser, Germany
4. Paul-Henri De Le Rue
5. Jonathan Cheever, Saugus, MA
–
7. Nate Holland, Squaw Valley, CA
11. Pat Holland, Squaw Valley, CA
12. Seth Wescott, Sugarloaf, ME
23. Jason Smith, Basalt, CO
27. Shaun Palmer, South Lake Tahoe, CA
29. Jayson Hale, Sierraville, CA
34. Ross Powers, Londonderry, VT
40. Robert Minghini, South Lake Tahoe, CA

Women
1. Maelle Ricker, Canada
2. Dominique Maltais, Canada
3. Zoe Gillings, Great Britain
4. Raffaella Brutto, Italy
5. Alexandra Jekova, Bulgaria
– (following did not compete in finals)
16. Lindsey Jacobellis, Stratton Mountain, VT
# # #

For complete results click here.VALMALENCO, Italy (March 20) – U.S. Snowboarding’s Nick Baumgartner (Iron River, MI) finished things out atop the podium as he took second on Friday during the final World Cup snowboardcross of the season in Italy. It was his second podium of the year.