Kilner impressed with a front side 900 and 1080

Two British snowboarders got their World Cup seasons off to encouraging starts in the southern hemisphere.

Snowboard cross racer Zoe Gillings finished fourth in Argentina while Ben Kilner scored a career-best 15th place in a half-pipe event in New Zealand.

The results put them in good stead for attaining the qualifying criteria for the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver.

Mark Simmers, chief executive of Snowsport GB, said: "It really proves Ben Kilner has world class potential."

Gillings, 23, powered into the final despite a couple of nasty crashes during practice on the challenging course which saw a handful of riders taken off the mountain by air ambulance.

606: DEBATE Give your reaction to the British snowboarders

She missed out on a podium place at the resort of Chapelco, with reigning world champion, American Lindsey Jacobellis, easily beating Swiss Mellie Francon, Canada's Maelle Ricker and Gillings in the final.

Gillings said: "It's been a really tough race and I have suffered several minor injuries but in true English style I battled through and ended with a good result."

Scotland's Kilner, 20, produced his highest scoring run to date of 38.9 points out of 50 in his qualification run, and impressed with a front side 900 and a front side 1080.

He could not quite repeat the feat in the final but still finished 15th, which was one of the best performances by a British snowboarder in a World Cup.

The event was won by Japanese rider Kohhei Kudoh, compatriot Ryoh Aono was second and Canadian Crispin Liscomb third.

E-mail this to a friend

Printable version