From Alpine Canada News:
ASPEN, USA (January 30, 2011) – Canada’s Kelsey Serwa crash-landed on the podium at the Winter X Games Sunday, winning gold in a dramatic ski cross final that ended with the Kelowna, B.C. skier losing control on the last jump and crossing the finish line on her back.
Serwa ended Ophelie David’s hopes for a fifth straight title, while Serwa’s teammate and defending champion Chris Del Bosco, of Sudbury, Ont., had to settle for silver behind John Teller of the USA in the men’s final.
"I just went for it," said Serwa, who was left with a bloody nose and a sore back following the crash.
In a hard-fought women’s final, Serwa – who won bronze last year – entered the last section in front and launched herself off the final jump. She landed awkwardly on her back and crossed the line in 1 minute, 28.83 seconds before flipping onto her front.
France’s David also fell after the final jump but took silver in 1:29:16 and Fanny Smith, of Switzerland, finished close behind in the bronze medal position (1:31.70).
"Ophelie has dominated here but Kelsey was able to put an end to her streak in spectacular fashion," said Eric Archer, Canada’s head coach.
After the awards ceremony, Serwa headed to the medical centre for tests on her sore back. Team officials are still awaiting the results.
Calgary’s Danielle Poleschuk just missed out on a medal as she finished fourth in 1:31.58. Whistler’s Julia Murray was ninth.
In the men’s final, Del Bosco – who had been hoping to become the first man to defend his ski cross title – led for most of the way but was eventually passed by John Teller of the USA and couldn’t quite edge his opponent in the final few metres. Teller’s time was 1:21.16, just ahead of Del Bosco (1:21.19) and Casey Puckett of the USA (1:21.97).
"I knew I had a chance on the last triple but I just kind of ran out of room," said Del Bosco, who was happy to be back on the podium after winning last year. "Sometimes that’s the way it goes. There’s not much you can do about it."
Whistler’s Stan Rey finished fourth and Brian Bennett, of Quesnel, B.C., was sixth. Davey Barr, of Whistler – who was seventh – Nik Zoricic, of Toronto, Calgary’s Stan Hayer and Dave Duncan, of Golden, B.C., didn’t qualify for the final.
The format for X Games includes heats of six competitors, compared to four for World Cup ski cross events. The X Games’ ski cross competition is also known as Skier X.
ASPEN, USA – JANUARY 30, 2011 – WINTER X GAMES – WOMEN’S SKI CROSS/SKIER X
1. Kelsey Serwa, Kelowna, B.C. (1:28.830); 2. Ophelie David, France (1:29.162); 3. Fanny Smith, Switzerland (1:31.588); 4. Danielle Poleschuk, Calgary, Alta. (1:31.588); 5. Julia Jensen, Norway (1:33.704); 6. Hedda Berntsen, Norway (5:00).
Canadians: 9. Julia Murray, Whistler, B.C.
COMPLETE RESULTS
ASPEN, USA – JANUARY 30, 2011 – WINTER X GAMES – MEN’S SKI CROSS/SKIER X
1. John Teller, USA (1:21.167); 2. Chris Del Bosco, Sudbury, Ont. (1:21.197); 3. Casey Puckett, USA (1:21.979); 4. Stan Rey, Whistler, B.C. (1:23.236); 5. Errol Kerr, Jamaica (1:23.908); 6. Brian Bennett, Quesnel, B.C. (1:24.478)
Other Canadians 7. Davey Barr, Whistler, B.C.; 12. Nik Zoricic, Toronto, Ont.; 21. Stan Hayer, Calgary, Alta.; 23. Dave Duncan, Golden, B.C.
COMPLETE RESULTS