Gillings is ranked fifth in the world

British snowboard cross racer Zoe Gillings finished 10th in the first World Cup of the Winter Olympic season after being impeded by a crash.

World number one Lindsey Jacobellis fell during the heat, meaning Gillings lost her speed as she tried to avoid the American at Chapelco in Argentina.

Gillings, from the Isle of Man, finished third in her heat, forcing her into 10th overall.

She said: "There wasn't much I could do, Lindsey fell in front of me."

Canada's Maelle Ricker won the race, ahead of Bulgaria's Alexandra Jekova with Dominique Maltais, of Canada, in third place.

Gillings added: "Overall I'm happy. The focus this season is on the Olympics so I'm using each competition as preparation for this and I'm taking away some valuable experience."

Her next World Cup race is not until 20 December, in Telluride, in the United States, with the Winter Olympics being held in Vancouver next February.

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