Unheralded Marni Yamada (Seattle, WA.) was a surprised third-place finisher Thursday in the snowboardcross, which opened a FIS World Cup snowboard weekend at Bristish Columbia's Whistler resort. Austrian veteran Doris Krings took the win, just ahead of Swede Lina Christiansson.

Yoko Miyake of Japan took 4th. The only other U.S. woman to qualify in the top 16 was Lynn Ott (Bend, OR), who finished 16th.

In the men's event, Simone Malusa of Italy was the winner with Australian Zeke Steggall 2nd, Frenchman Thomas Bourgault 3rd and hometown boy Drew Neilson 4th. Mark Schulz (Portland, OR) posted the best American finish, coming in 18th in the field of 37 riders.

— Courtesy, US Snowboard Team