Gillings crashes out in Cup semis

Manx snowboarder Zoe Gillings is now ranked seventh in the world

Isle of Man snowboarder Zoe Gillings failed to make the FIS World Cup final after a luckless crash in Spain.

Gillings put out world champion Helene Olafson in the quarter-final only to suffer in the semi when two competitors collided directly in front of her.

"I was really happy to beat Helene but really disappointed to lose in the semi-final," she said.

"There was absolutely nothing I could have done. My body feels like it's been hit by a bus."

Gillings dominated her quarter-final against Olafson at La Molina from start to finish.

But, in the semi, Gillings was involved in a spectacular high-speed crash, when the collision ahead of her made the inevitable spill unavoidable.

The Manx girl tried to get back on her feet but the impact of the crash meant she had no option but to remain on the ground for medical attention.

After a short break and having been cleared by medical personnel Gillings again strapped her board on for the small final.

Gillings started well and was on the shoulder of world number three Maelle Ricker in second when her board was again taken from under her.

Following Friday's misfortune (she finished seventh), the Manx snowboarder now travels to Italy for the final World Cup competition of the 2008/09 season at Valmalenco.