If it were predictable it wouldn't be snowboardcross. After winning the qualifier and every World Cup snowboardcross she has ever entered, U.S. Snowboarding rider Lindsey Jacobellis (Stratton Mountain, VT) crashed, landing in eighth place. "I can’t point to anything wrong- she hit a bump and bounced," said coach Peter Foley.

Fellow teammate Seth Wescott (Farmington, ME) also paid dues to the SBX deities. Wescott won both of his first two heats. Then in the round of eight he took a conservative line behind fellow competitor Drew Neilson of Canada and went down when the field compressed.

"We walked through town in the dark under a full moon to the lift. We saw the sunrise on top and leaves below are all gold. It was so sunny and awesome," was Foley’s take on the early morning conditions. Sometimes the prize isn't found on the podium.

FIS SNOWBOARD WORLD CUP
Saas Fee, Switzerland

Women's SBX
1. Doresia Krings, Austria
2. Carmen Ranigler, Italy
3. Deborah Anthonioz, France
4. Marie Laissus, France
5. Olivia Nobs, Switzerland

8. Lindsey Jacobellis, Stratton Mountain, Vt.
30. Sarris McComb, Missoula, Mont.

Men's SBX
1. Michael Layer, Germany
2. Dieter Krassnig, Austria
3. Vincent Valery, France
4. Jasey Jay Anderson, Canada
5. Xavier Delerue, France

7. Seth Wescott, Farmington, Maine
21. Mike Rosengren, Bozeman, Mont.
28. Ben Jacobellis, Bondville, Vt.