Three Americans Podium at Big White SBX

U.S. Snowboardcross Team members Alex Deibold, Senna Leith, and Faye Gulini all claimed third place finishes at the FIS Snowboardcross World Cup double feature in Big White, Canada. Alex found his success on Saturday, while Faye and Senna followed suit on Sunday in the second and final race of the weekend. 

“This podium felt special today,” said Alex. “I’ve made a lot of changes in my life recently and had a shift in perspective. I feel so lucky to just to be out here. The support I got from my coaches and especially my teammates, means so much to me. Everyone on our team is riding so well right now and I hope we can carry some momentum into tomorrow.”

Alex’s third-place marks his first World Cup podium since 2017 in Veysonnaz, Switzerland, and his sixth World Cup podium of his career. Alex must have been pleased as the team did seem to carry momentum into day two of competition with both Faye and Senna racing their way to the podium.

Coming into race number two of the weekend, Faye had collected three top-10 World Cup finishes already this season. On Sunday, she put it all together to earn her first podium of the season, and second of her career. She now sits in fifth overall in the FIS Cup Standings.

“I fall more and more in love with my sport every race,” she said. “I’m so happy that all my hard work paid off today. I’m looking to carry this momentum into the last couple of races of the season. The team dynamic and spirit is at an all-time high and I see a lot more podiums in the near future for the U.S. Snowboardcross Team.”

For the men, Senna had a huge day earning his first World Cup Podium. 

“With difficult visibility caused by fog and mist, unpredictable things were happening throughout the race,” said Senna. “I knew I had to be patient, especially with the most crucial part of the course being the last third, where I managed to maintain good position in each heat. Earning my first podium is just hard to believe, but at the same time, I have visualized myself in this position so many times, I’m starting to understand it’s real. Also, I know how much time and effort I have put in to improve my riding, so it feels amazing. After I crossed the finish line, my whole team tackled me and I really felt the love. There is so much comradery within the team right now, which makes this podium really special.” 

Senna also spoke to why he thinks the U.S. Snowboardcross Team found so much success in Big White over the course of the two race program.

“I think our success has to do with the team spending a lot of time on snow together, but more so our that our team is full of very good all-around snowboarders,” he said. “I think we were all able to be smart through variable conditions.”

U.S. riders will continue snowboardcross competition in Sierra Nevada, Spain, March 6-7 for the fourth of five FIS Snowboardcross World Cups. 

CUP STANDINGS
Men’s snowboardcross
Women’s snowboardcross

RESULTS
Men’s snowboardcross - Jan. 25
Women’s snowboardcross - Jan. 25
Men’s snowboardcross - Jan. 26
Women’s snowboardcross - Jan. 26