Dramatic finale sees Trespeuch take World Cup season opener
BySportsbeat
Published 10/09/2017 at 10:57 GMT
Chloe Trespeuch's Snowboard Cross World Cup campaign got underway in dramatic style after requiring a photo finish to confirm victory over Lindsey Jacobellis.
Eurosport
Image credit: Eurosport
The Olympic bronze medallist had been trailing for most of the way down the course in Patagonia, but by a matter of inches took the win in the first of two back-to-back World Cup races in Argentina.
That was a first victory since prevailing at the Olympic test event in Bokwang, South Korea, last year for the French champion, delighted to start the season on a perfect note.
"I feel very good. I'm happy to begin the season like that,” she said. "It's the second victory of my life on the World Cup tour. I'm very happy.”
Trespeuch had French company on the podium in the shape of Nelly Moenne Loccoz, ending her run of eight races without a top-three result.
The men's equivalent race was not to match the tight drama of their female counterparts, but that didn't stop Alex Pullin impressing in some style to take the win.
The Australian had come into the knockout rounds as the second best qualifier, living up to the mantle with a thrilling spectacle of racing.
That was enough for his best win ahead of Italy's Emanuel Perathoner, while a strong finish from Jonathan Cheever saw the American take the last place on the podium – his first since February 2012.
Two-time world champion Pullin said: "It's been a super exciting day. It was a really nice environment to go out and race in today.
"The racing was really close, and the course was great. I'm just very excited that I put down a win.
"There is no better feeling than crossing the line when there is no one in front of you."
The Snowboard Cross World Cup continues on Sunday, with the second leg of the season coming in the long, technical course of Cerro Catedral.
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