The FIS Freestyle World Cup in ski cross continued on Tuesday in St. Johann (AUT). In tough conditions, it was the German young gun Simon Stickl who won the men's race before veteran Daron Rahlves with Canada's David Duncan in third. In the women's race, France's Ophelie David charged down the course to take the win, beating out fellow countryman Meryll Boulangeat. Grabbing the last spot on the podium was Canadian Julie Murray.

The course in St Johann was totally injected for the ski cross, creating an ice rink like surface. Although the course posed an added challenge to the athletes, the field of competitors pulled out of the starting gate launching their bodies down the hill.

Stickl skied exceptionally well to take the coveted win on a course that has become synonymous to slick fast conditions. Stickl, true to his form on the day, gained the hole shot early and held it to the finish winning the race. The other 3 competitors jockeyed for position where Rahlves was just able to muscle past Duncan for 2nd spot slotting Duncan to 3rd.

The ladies' final heat saw Ophelie David (FRA) take the hole shot which she maintained to the finish, winning the race. Murray and Boulangeat battled it out for second spot and it looked as though Murray would slide into 2nd spot but she got pinched against a gate and had to let off the gas a hair forfeiting 2nd spot to Boulangeat leaving Murry 3rd for the day.

Wednesday 6 January 2010
FISfreestyle.com

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