Baff Claims Snowboard Cross Bronze in Switzerland

NSW Institute of Sport (NSWIS) scholarship holder Josie Baff has continued her breakthrough season with a bronze medal overnight at the snowboard cross World Cup event in Veysonnaz, Switzerland.

The medal is Baff’s fourth of the season, which includes her World Cup victory back in December, and a spectacular silver medal performance at her first ever World Championships earlier this month.

After qualifying seventh fastest for finals, Baff was drawn in the same side of the bracket as two-time Olympic medallist Eva Adamczykova of the Czech Republic, with Baff advancing through the quarter and semi-final rounds in second place just behind the Czech rider to reach the big-final medal round.

The star-studded big-final featured the top four women on the World Cup standings, and it was a spectacular race with close side-by-side racing with Baff fighting to the end, moving into third place right at the finish line to just edge out Chloe Trespeuch of France. Baff was the youngest rider in the final four by seven years.

Taking the win was Charlotte Bankes of Great Britain, with Adamczykova in second place.

“It was really close racing and very hot today in the sun, so I am very grateful to my coaches and wax technicians, I couldn’t have got it done without them,” said the 20-year-old Jindabyne rider.

“After a disappointing World Cup last week in Sierra Nevada, it’s always nice to be back on the podium.”

“Heading into the World Cup final in Mont Sainte-Anne and then the Junior World Championships I can definitely carry this momentum.”

Also in action for Australia in the men’s event was Adam Lambert who advanced through to the quarter-final stage to finish in tenth to record his second-best World Cup finish of the season, with Cameron Bolton in 31^st.

After seven World Cup events this season, Baff is ranked third on the standings on 353 points, trailing Trespeuch of France in second place with Bankes in first place on 578. In the men’s standings Cameron Bolton is in 12^th and Adam Lambert 16^th.

The snowboard cross tour will now head to Canada for the final two World Cup events of the season in Mont Sainte-Anne on March 25-26.