Cross, Women

The start of this event was delayed two hours because of heavy overnite rains. The sentimental favorite was Lindsey Jacobellis (USA), who had crashed within sight of the finishing line in 2006, while hot dogging a grab, and had to be content with the silver medal. Jacobellis had been tough since Torino, leading the World Cup in 2006-07 and 2008-09, and the Winter X Games in 2008 and 2009, with the 2007-08 World Cup going to Canada’s Maëlle Ricker. Ricker had competed in the Torino final, but crashed and had to be airlifted from the course. The sensation of the 2009 season was Norwegian Helene Olafsen, who won the 2009 World Championships and was second to Jacobellis at the 2009 Winter X Games.

Unfortunately this would also not be Jacobellis’ Games as she crashed out in the semi-final round, along with Mellie Francon (SUI), who had finished first in the qualification round, in the other semi-final heat. Jacobellis had the consolation of winning the B Final to place her fifth overall. The final itself was somewhat of a lackluster affair. After the initial exchanges, Ricker took the lead and held it fairly comfortably to the finishing line. Behind her Olafsen crashed out early in the race, as too did Olivia Nobs (SUI) two thirds of the way down the course – Nobs regained her composure to take the bronze medal behind France’s Déborah Anthonioz who finished comfortably in second place.