Cross, Women

Boardercross (also snowboardcross) made its Olympic début at Torino 2006, and is one of the most exciting events of the sport.

World Cup leader Michela Moioli of Italy arrived in PyeongChang with the momentum of seven consecutive podium finishes, four of which were wins, including the last races at the Feldberg World Cup. She also finished second in the Olympic test event two years previous. Pursuing Moioli was France’s Chloé Trespeuch (2014 Olympic bronze medalist), 32-year-old American Lindsey Jacobellis (five-time World champion and 2006 silver medalist) also the most experienced rider of the current fast women, and defending Olympic champion Eva Samková from Czech Republic.

In the finals, Jacobellis lead from the start. She was passed half way down the course first by Moioli, and then by France’s 16-year-old Julia Pereira de Sousa Mabileau, who came through a momentous battle to finish second behind Moioli and ahead of Olympic champion Samková, who won the bronze.

Before the final jump, Jacobellis was fifth, behind Samková and Trespeuch (who fell and crossed the finish line on her back) allowing Jacobellis to finish fourth, 0.03 seconds behind Samková.