Gillings Finishes 10th In Argentina

Zoe Gillings competed in the opening Snowboard Cross World Cup of the 2009/2010 Olympic Season today in Chapelco, Argentina, finishing in a credible 10th position which saw Zoe unavoidably crashing into World No 1 Lindsey Jacobellis (USA) just after the start of the race.

Zoe started the competition yesterday with time trials determining the 16 athletes who would progress into today’s finals. Following two serious crashes on the course which saw the air ambulance evacuate the badly injured athletes to hospital, Zoe finished in 8th position ensuring progression into today’s heats behind Jacobellis who finished 1st.

Zoe lined up in the heat this afternoon against Jacobellis, Isobella Clark Rimero (BRA) and Yuki Fujimori (JAP). Jacobellis quickly took the lead with Zoe closely tucked in just behind her when Jacobellis made a mistake and went crashing to the floor, Zoe had little time to react and just managed to stay on her feet avoiding Jacobellis. Unfortunately Zoe lost all her speed and could only go on to finish the heat in 3rd place behind Rimero and Fujimori effectively placing Zoe 10th Overall.

Zoe commented after the race, “There wasn’t much I could do, Lindsey fell in front of me and I had all on just trying to avoid her, I tried to catch the other two up but I had lost all my speed. Overall I’m happy though, the focus this season is on the Olympics so I’m using each competition as preparation for this and I’m taking away some valuable experience from today.”

The next World Cup Snowboard cross competition will now take place in Telluride, USA on the 20th December.

Please see www.zoegilings.com for a video interview of Zoe following the race.