MONTAFON, Austria (Dec. 8) – Seven-time X Games gold medalist Lindsey Jacobellis (Stratton Mountain, VT) teamed up with Olympian Callan Chythlook-Sifsof (Girdwood, AK) to mount a joint comeback, taking second in the women’s team World Cup in Montafon on Sunday. This was the first weekend back from injury for both women and, for Jacobellis, a return to the World Cup circuit after a two-year break. Italy won the women’s race. In the men’s race, Alex Deibold (Manchester Center, VT) and Hagen Kearney (Telluride, CO) teamed up and finished sixth. Germany took the victory for the men. Next the snowboardcross athletes head to Lake Louise, AB for a World Cup race Dec. 21.
HIGHLIGHTS
- Seven-time X Games gold medalist Lindsey Jacobellis (Stratton Mountain, VT) teamed up with Olympian Callan Chythlook-Sifsof (Girdwood, AK) to mount a joint comeback, taking second in in the women’s team World Cup in Montafon on Sunday.
- This was Jacobellis’ first weekend race back on the World Cup circuit after a two-year break. It was also Chythlook-Sifsof’s first weekend back after having ACL reconstruction surgery this past spring.
- Jacobellis broke her thumb in the individual snowboardcross race Saturday but was still able to compete.
- Chythlook-Sifsof led the final race down to the finish, but the Italian team surged by just before the finish.
- In the men’s race, Alex Deibold (Manchester Center, VT) and Hagen Kearney (Telluride, CO) teamed up and finished sixth.
- Jonathan Cheever (Saugus, MA) and Nick Baumgartner (Iron River, MI) led their team to finish 14th, while Germany took the victory for the men.
- Next the snowboardcross athletes head to Lake Louise, AB for a World Cup race Dec. 21.
QUOTES
Lindsey Jacobellis
It feels pretty awesome to be back on snow. I was freaking out and wasn’t sure I could put a whole course together and make it through. There were a lot of injuries out there so it was intimidating to think about racing. The night before I was having nightmares thinking of everything that could go wrong, and then I did my first warm up run and it was awesome. It was like nothing had changed. I just didn’t really know how I would stack up to everyone after not racing in a year and a half, but then after qualifying third in the individual event I knew I was back in it.
I decided to race with a broken thumb, taking race by race. I felt tentative and scared going into the World Cup, but during these last two days racing in the heats I got my confidence back. I’m not afraid and it’s good to have that feeling back.
Callan Chythlook-Sifsof
The weather was amazing. Today the sun came out and was shinning all day. I always think the team races are such a good vibe for the comradery, and being in the race with someone is such a good environment. I always do my best racing in the team events. We were so close to the win. I didn’t know how close the Italian girl was behind me and, coming into the straightaway, I had a little bobble and she just passed me. But we’re happy to be on the podium and have had a good day of racing.
Peter Foley, Head U.S. Snowboarding Coach
Lindsey won every heat with a good margin, which was great to see especially because she was racing with a broken thumb. That was sick, and Callan killed it. In the finals the Italian girls just passed Callan barely at the line.
OFFICIAL RESULTS
Men’s Official Results
Women’s Official Results
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