Jacobellis Wins Fifth World Championships Gold
SIERRA NEVADA, Spain (Mar. 12, 2017) - Lindsey Jacobellis (Stratton Mountain, VT) prevailed at the FIS Freestyle Ski and Snowboard World Championships snowboardcross event on Sunday to claim an amazing fifth World Championship title.
Jacobellis is the most dominant snowboardcross rider in history, and with a landmark fifth World Championship title in 2017 she is showing no signs of slowing down anytime soon.
“I just know that something else turns on inside of me and I get really, really aggressive,” Jacobellis said when asked what the key to her continued success is. “I find energy when I didn’t think I had energy. Maybe it’s just the (World Championships) stage but I believe this course definitely played a really big part in my win today; it was very dynamic and very fast…there were a lot of variables and a lot of transitions that had to be matched perfectly otherwise you would lose a lot of speed for somebody else to capitalize on.”
Lindsey Jacobellis leads the pack in the big final. (Getty Images-David Ramos)
Jacobellis edged out France’s Chloe Trespeuch, who finished second, and Michela Moioli of Italy, who was third.
Nick Baumgartner (Iron River, MI) had an incredible showing as well, finishing just off the podium in fourth. He chose to approach the course with a combination of aggression and wisdom.
“I had to use my experience to overcome some of these younger fast kids,” Baum said after the race. “It was a battle every time but I made smart decisions and I didn’t let myself get taken out, which allowed me to make a hard charge at the bottom of the run.”
When asked what his strategy is going into tomorrow’s team race Baumgartner said, “I’m going to team up with Hagen. Hagen’s going to kick everyone’s butt coming out of the start and I’m going to be the freight train following up, whoo whoo!”
Nick Baumgartner (right) races in the men's semifinals. (Getty Images-Clive Rose)
The men’s snowboardcross world championship title was won by France’s Pierre Vaultier, Lucas Eguibar of Spain was second and Alex Pullin of Australia was third.
Hagan Kearney (Telluride, CO) also had a great day, winning the small final to finish seventh overall. Faye Gulini (Salt Lake City, UT) was 13th; Alex Diebold (Boulder, CO) was 15th; Rosi Mancari (Anchorage, AK) was 18th; Nate Holland was 25th.
Action from Sierra Nevada will continue Monday with the snowboardcross team event.
Jacobellis stands atop the World Championships podium for the fifth time. (Getty Images-Javier Soriano)
HIGHLIGHTS
- Lindsey Jacobellis won her fifth World Championship title.
- Nick Baumgartner finished just off the podium in fourth.
- The snowboardcross riders race the team snowboardcross event at Sierra Nevada on Monday.
QUOTES
Lindsey Jacobellis
I just know that something else turns on inside of me and I get really, really aggressive; I find energy when I didn’t think I had energy. Maybe it’s just the (World Championships) stage but I believe this course definitely played a really big part in my win today; it was very dynamic and very fast…there were a lot of variables and a lot of transitions that had to be matched perfectly otherwise you would lose a lot of speed for somebody else to capitalize on.
Peter Foley – Head Coach, Snowboardcross
(Lindsey is) so incredibly skilled, driven and competitive—that combination is insane. The way she can show up on a big day is unbelievable.
Nick Baumgartner
My strategy was definitely to go as fast as you could through the start section but you also had to be really smart in turn one—if you got taken out in turn one you couldn’t make it to the finish line. I had to use my experience to overcome some of these younger fast kids. It was a battle every time but I made smart decisions and I didn’t let myself get taken out which allowed me to make a hard charge at the bottom of the run. (Tomorrow) I’m going to team up with Hagen. Hagen’s going to kick everyone’s butt coming out of the start and I’m going to be the freight train following up, whoo whoo!
Lindsey Jacobellis
Lindsey Jacobellis from Stratton Mountain, Vermont, is known as the most decorated athlete in the history of snowboard cross. She competed in her first X Games at the young age of 15, and sense has made many incredible accomplishments. She has won two golds and a silver medal in the 2022 Olympics and has been involved in five separate Olympics since 2006.