Baff claims first ever World Cup victory in season opening event

Courtesy OWIA

Australia’ Josie Baff has made an incredible start to the World Cup season, winning gold overnight in the opening snowboard cross event in Les Deux Alpes, France.

The podium performance is also the first of the 19-year-old teenagers’ career in just her eighth World Cup start, becoming just the second Australian female snowboard cross rider to win a World Cup event.

The Jindabyne local was in great form at the French resort, qualifying for finals in fourth place under sunny conditions. Heavy wind and snowfall then set in, with the event postponed 24 hours. Conditions improved slightly for the new competition day but was still difficult for all competitors.

Baff continued her fast riding into finals, winning her quarter final round and placing second in the semi final to reach the first big final medal round of her career.

In the big final, Baff had another great start and was in the top two for the first half of the course. Baff then made her move hitting the front and was able to fend off all challenges to cross the line in first place.

Finishing behind Baff on the podium were French riders Chloe Trespeuch and Lea Casta with Lara Casanova of Switzerland in fourth.

“I am very overwhelmed right now, but thankyou to everyone, my coaches, my wax techs and hello to my family back home” said Baff as she caught her breath in the finish area.

“I still can’t believe this has happened.”

In the men’s event, both Cameron Bolton and Adam Lambert made it through to the quarter final round, with Bolton finishing in ninth place and Lambert in 12th. Belle Brockhoff was the seventh fastest qualifier, but did not start in finals, giving her a final ranking of 15th.

The snowboard cross athletes will next be in action in the Italian resort of Cervinia, competing in a World Cup event on December 16.