WEST VANCOUVER, British Columbia (AP) – Switzerland’s Mellie Francon has beaten out defending silver medalist Lindsey Jacobellis of the United States for the top qualifying spot in women’s Olympic snowboardcross.
Francon made it down the course Tuesday in 1 minute, 24.43 seconds to win a brutal round of qualifying during which more than half the riders fell on at least one of their two runs.
Jacobellis finished in 1:25.41. But the 2006 bronze medalist, Dominique Maltais of Canada, fell on both her runs and failed to make it.
The top 16 riders have been seeded and will begin elimination rounds later Tuesday, with the final four shooting for the gold, silver and bronze medals.