Adam Smith captures podium in opening World Cup PSL

Adam Smith captures podium in opening World Cup PSL{mosimage}
LANDGRAAF, Netherlands (Oct. 7) U.S. Snowboarding’s Adam Smith (Bend, OR), winner of the historic first indoor World Cup in 2004, was on the indoor podium again Friday finishing third in the season opening parallel slalom contest in Landgraaf, Netherlands. On the women’s side, two Americans Rosie Fletcher (Girdwood, AK) and Erica Mueller (Chester, VT) qualified for finals with Fletcher placing in the top 10.

Taking top honors for the men was Austria’s Siegfried Grabner and for the women, Julie Pomagalski (FRA).

‘It turned out to be a great race’ said Steve Persons, U.S. Snowboarding assistant alpine coach. ‘Adam did such a great job, being able to adjust to the conditions and terrain and quickly correct his technique when he needed to. He was really moving forward in his turns, finding where to hit the pressure at the top of the turns.’

Persons described the indoor slalom course as surprisingly technical despite the fact it was shorter and flatter than any other PSL course on the World Cup. ‘It’s probably about three gates shorter than we’re used to, and it requires you to be skilled on the flats. You really have to hit the pressure in the right spot and move to the next gate.’

Smith, 6’2′, spent the summer training with the Rebound Sports Performance Lab in Bend, with director and former cross-country Olympian Justin Wadsworth. Aside from spring training camps in California and Colorado, Smith logged the miles on his mountain bike and punched the clock at the Home Depot before heading to Chile for the month of August for more on-snow training.

Pre-season hard work was key to Fletcher’s top-10 finish as well, according to Persons. The two-time World Championships medalist started training on new equipment in April, giving her plenty of time to adjust to her new set-up. Same goes for Mueller, who also is on new equipment this season.

The event also was the first competition back for Olympic medalist Chris Klug (Aspen, CO) who broke his collarbone at last year’s X Games and had surgery in February. ‘Chris really had a positive approach for this race’ said Persons. ‘He’s particularly focused on the giant slalom so Chris is really looking forward to Soelden (AUT) next weekend.’

The World Cup alpine circuit continues in Soelden, Sweden, Oct. 15-16, with a PGS.

For complete results, visit the web at https://www.fis-ski.com/uk/604/1228.html?event_id=18148&cal_suchsector=SB.

NOKIA SNOWBOARD FIS WORLD CUP
Landgraaf, Netherlands Oct. 7, 2005
Parallel Slalom
(16 make finals)

MEN
Final
1. Siegfried Grabner, AUT
2. Simon Schoch, SUI

Small-Final
3. Adam Smith, Bend, Ore.
4. Mathieu Bozzetto, FRA

1/4 Finals
5. Nicolas Huet, FRA
6. Daniel Biveson, SWE
7. Markus Ebner, GER
8. Ingemar Walder AUT

1/8 Finals
9. Urs Eiselin, SUI
10. Jasey Jay Anderson, CAN

WOMEN
Final
1. Julie Pomagalski, FRA
2. Isabelle Blanc, FRA

Small-Final
3. Daniela Meuli, SUI
4. Ursula Bruhin, SUI

1/4 Finals
5. Carmen Ranigler, ITA
6. Manuela Riegler, AUT
7. Marion Kreiner, AUT
8. Jagna Marczulajtis, POL

1/8 Finals
9. Doris Guenther, AUT
10. Rosey Fletcher, Girdwood, Alaska
11. Erica Mueller, Chester, Vt.