A day after placing two U.S. athletes into the final four, only Jason Smith (Basalt, CO) made into the finals of a FIS snowboard cross World Cup in Arosa Saturday. Smith finished tied for 14th in an event won by World Cup leader Simone Malusa of Italy. Karine Ruby of France won the women's SBX. There were no U.S. women competing as many top U.S. riders remained home to prepare for the upcoming X-Games.

The rough and tumble sport of snowboard cross can be prone to wide swings in results as riders bash their way down the course in head-to-head heats of four riders at a time. It was a career best for Smith, who had been 41st just a day earlier.

The second event in Arosa was a makeup for an SBX cancelled earlier in the season in Alpe d'Huez, France. American Ben Jacobellis (Bondville, VT) was second a day earlier, with Seth Wescott (Farmington, ME) fourth. Jacobellis was second despite suffering a deep cut in his left leg at the start of the final run.

Snowboard cross, or SBX, is the newest Olympic discipline in snowboarding. The next World Cup is set for Berchtesgaden, Germany Feb. 7-8. The World Cup stop in Mt. Bachelor, OR Mar. 7-8 will also feature an SBX.

FIS SNOWBOARD WORLD CUP

Men's Snowboard Cross Final

1. Simone Malusa, ITA
2. Michael Layer, GER
3. Alex Kupprion, GER
4. Stefano Pozzolini

U.S. Riders
14T. Jason Smith, Basalt, Colo.
35. Seth Wescott, Farmington, Maine
39. Jayson Hale, Sierraville, Calif.

Women's Snowboard Cross Final

1. Karine Ruby, FRA
2. Julie Pomagalski, FRA
3. Tanja Frieden, SuI
4. Dominique Maltais, CAN

— Courtesy, US Snowboard Team