January 24, 2014 - 6:21 PM
ASPEN, Colo. - Kevin Hill of Vernon, B.C., was 0.222 seconds shy from a podium finish at the Winter X Games on Friday, finishing fourth in the snowboard cross final.
Nate Holland of the United States took gold in the six-man final, clocking 52.049 seconds. American Alex Tuttle was second in 52.419, and Konstantin Schad of Germany placed third at 52.445. Hill followed at 52.667.
"I was really happy with my day overall except for the final," said Hill. "Consistency is something I really want to work on leading into the Olympics."
Hill rocketed out of the start gate, even holding a brief lead at the top of the course. He appeared to be comfortably installed in third for most of the race before Schad went wide on one of the last jumps to whizz by the Canadian.
Calgary's Chris Robanske won the small final for seventh overall while Rob Fagan of Squamish, B.C., was fourth in that race for 10th overall.
In the women's snowboard cross, Carle Brenneman of Whistler, B.C., reached the final and placed fifth. Lindsey Jacobellis of the U.S., was first, Eva Samkova of the Czech Republic second and Helen Olafsen of Norway third.
Brenneman fell behind early in the race and had to play catch-up the rest of the way, a tough task against an Olympic medal contender field.
Olympic champion Maelle Ricker of Squamish won the small final for seventh overall.
The men's slopestyle final goes Saturday afternoon, with three Canadians having qualified for the event on Thursday.
Regina's Mark McMorris qualified with 92.00 just behind Torstein Horgmo of Norway at 93.33. The best score of two runs counted as the final mark.
Maxence Parrot of Bromont, Que., and Sebastien Toutant of l'Assomption, Que., also advanced to the final placing fifth and seventh respectively. All three slopestylers are tuning up for Sochi.
News from © The Canadian Press, 2014