X Games: Hayer and David win skiercross, Rahlves fourth

Aspen, Colo. – The gates dropped and out quickly was the bright green outfit of Stanley Hayer taking control of the race.  At the end of the race, the bright green was still out in front giving Hayer his first Winter X Games gold medal in Skier X Men’s.Aspen, Colo. – The gates dropped and out quickly was the bright green outfit of Stanley Hayer taking control of the race.  At the end of the race, the bright green was still out in front giving Hayer his first Winter X Games gold medal in Skier X Men’s.

 ”I knew this course set up well for me,” the pride of Kimberley, British Columbia said.  “It really was a tough race.  At the top I knew I was in good shape, but at the bottom I started to feel all the other guys.  This is a huge day for Canada.”

 The win was a continuation of improvement for Hayer. In 2005, his first year in Skier X, Hayer finished 8th. In 2006 he finished 7th, 4th in 2007 and was the silver medalist last year. 

 A photo finish was used to determine the silver and bronze, with Hiroomi Takizawa edging out Andreas Steffen 97.070 to 97.186.

 ”I felt good all day,” Steffen said post race. “I was slow in qualifications but my guys really got my skis going today.  This is the greatest course, too bad the weather didn’t cooperate.

 But at the end of the day, the conditions were the last thing on the mind of the gold medalist.

 ”Conditions don’t matter, a race is a race and there is always a winner and a loser,” Hayer said.

Last year’s gold medalist, American Daron Rahlves, finished fourth.

On the women’s side, Ophelie David and Magdalena Jonsson were neck and neck heading into the final jump in the Skier X Women’s final. As both landed, David squeezed ahead of Jonsson and captured her third-consecutive gold in the event.

 David and Jonsson both started strong, with David controlling the early stages.  Midway through the race, Jonsson pulled ahead until the final jump. That’s when David took over.

 ”This was so amazing,” David exclaimed. “I surprisingly caught some speed in those last turns.  All I thought was I have got to pass and I have to pass now.”

 Slovakia’s Sasa Farcic took the bronze.

For complete results click here.

Information from ESPN.