Jacobellis, Bidez On Pipe Podium in New Zealand

Two U.S. Podiums in Cup Opener

CARDRONA, N.Z. (Sept. 1) - Defending World Cup snowboardcross champion Lindsey Jacobellis (Stratton Mountain, VT) switched to the halfpipe Saturday and finished second in the season opener with U.S. Snowboarding teammate Clair Bidez (Minturn, CO) in third place.

Lindsey Jacobellis (left) and Clair Bidez (right) were on the podium in the opening World Cup halfpipe in Cardrona, New Zealand. (FIS/Oliver Kraus)

"Both Lindsey and Clair came up just a bit short on the last part of their final run," said Halfpipe Coach Mike Jankowski. "We had three guys in finals and they were going for it, too, but came up a little short on their last hit...just barely short. But they weren't going for fourth or fifth; they were going for the win and that's what we want. That's the Team spirit.

"We do it because we love it. We have the passion for our sport. And we want to win," Jankowski said.

In the first World Cup event held in New Zealand, women's world champion Manuela Laura Pesko of Switzerland turned in a nearly flawless second run to edge Jacobellis with 42.1. Jacobellis had 41.7 and Bidez completed the podium at 39.7.

"My better run was my first," Jacobellis said. "I was able to put my tricks together. I had a blast. It was awesome weather - the best we've had down here and that makes it so much easier to see everything. The winds didn't pickup until the last run. It was snowing in practice and through the first run, but then it stopped.

"It's always nice to start the season with a podium."

Bidez, the reigning Junior World Championships halfpipe gold medalist, also had a better first run as she secured her first World Cup top-3 result. Riders are judged on the better of their two runs.

"I'm so stoked to be riding with Lindsey," Bidez said. "The snow was soft and falling apart in training this week, and it got soft today...but it held together well enough. I certainly can't complain."

SNOWBOARDING WORLD CUP
Cardrona, NZ - Sept. 1, 2007 (Season opener)
Halfpipe

Women (9 make finals)
1. Manuela Laura Pesko, Switzerland, 42.1
2. Lindsey Jacobellis, Stratton Mountain, VT, 41.7
3. Clair Bidez, Minturn, CO, 39.7
4. Soko Yamaoka, Japan, 38.6
5. Queralt Castellet, Spain, 32.6
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13. Kelly Marren, Hillsborough, CA
14. Tricia Byrnes, Aspen, CO
22. Gretchen Bleiler, Aspen, CO

For complete results:
www.fis-ski.com/uk/604/1228.html?event_id=23949&cal_suchsector=SB

For photos from Cardrona:
http://ussa.smugmug.com/gallery/3401089