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Baumgartner 2nd in World Cup Finals SBX

MONDAY, 19 MARCH 2007

STONEHAM, Quebec - Newly crowned U.S. snowboardcross champion Nick Baumgartner (Iron River, MI) charged to his career first World Cup podium Saturday, finishing second in the final race of the season with fellow U.S. champ Callan Chythlook-Sifsof (Girdwood, AK) just off the podium in fourth.

Taking the top of the podium was Pierre Vaultier of France and Helene Olafsen of Norway as Canadian Drew Neilson finished third and secured the men's World Cup SBX title. Double SBX World Champion and Olympic silver medalist Lindsey Jacobellis (Stratton Mountain, VT) wrapped up the women's title last weekend after winning both State Farm U.S. Snowboard Cup races last weekend in Lake Placid, NY. Jacobellis was riding in the U.S. Open halfpipe at Stratton Mountain, VT and did not compete in Stoneham.

"It's so cool. I also could have won today but I didn't want to risk too much at the second jump because we were all so close together," said Baumgartner. "I decided to stay patient and wait for a better chance which I almost got close to the finish line."

As snow pounded much of the East, conditions for qualifiers were extremely variable said U.S. Snowboarding Head Coach Peter Foley. "Qualifiers were pretty slow because of all the snow, but then a wicked head wind would kick up at random and slow things down even more."

One victim of the wind was two-time X Games winner and world champs bronze medalist Nate Holland (Squaw Valley, CA), who was in contention for the World Cup SBX title going into the race. Holland caught a hefty blast in his first qualifying run and then crashed in his second, yet held onto the 32nd qualifying spot. He then crashed in the first round of heats and was knocked out of contention, however with three second place results on the World Cup season, Holland reatained the second place ranking in points.

"Nate was pretty bummed," said Foley. "He's had a great season and had a shot at the title, but he had some really bad luck in the qualifiers. It was a short course with some good features and actually turned out to be pretty fast despite the snow, so you had to do a lot of speed checking. But it was a really good day for Nick, he rode super well all week and just killed it today."

World Cup Finals conclude Sunday from Stoneham with halfpipe.

SNOWBOARD WORLD CUP
Stoneham, Quebec - March 17, 2007
World Cup Finals
SBX
Men (32 make heats)
1. Pierre Vaultier, France
2. Nick Baumgartner, Iron River, MI
3. Drew Neilson, Canada
4. Ludovic Guillot-Diat, France
-
8. Jason Smith, Basalt, CO
9. Alex Deibold, Manchester Center, VT
12. Graham Watanabe, Sun Valley, ID
27. Pat Holland, Sandpoint, ID
32. Nate Holland, Squaw Valley, CA
--
Women (16 make heats)
1. Helene Olafsen, Norway
2. Diane Thermoz Liaudy, France
3. Tanja Frieden, Switzerland
4. Callan Chythlook-Sifsof, Girdwood, AK
-
20. Heather Doolittle, Belgrade, ME
21. Kim Krahulec, Silverthorne, CO.

For complete results:
http://www.fis-ski.com/uk/604/1228.html?cal_suchsector=SB&event_id=22282

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