Australian snowboard cross speedsters Josie Baff and Cameron Bolton have kicked off their seasons in impressive fashion, grabbing World Cup silver medals on the slopes of Cervinia. With monobob racer Breeana Walker also enjoying her first World Cup podium place of the season with a bronze in Latvia, it proved a fine Saturday for Australia's winter sports stars at venues 2500km apart in Europe. The 21-year-old Baff, who finished fourth in last season's overall standings, demonstrated her intent to go better in 2024-25 as she was just pipped for gold after a late charge for victory in the big final saw her come up half-a-board shy, just 0.
05sec down, behind French teenager Lea Casta. While the 18-year-old winner burst into tears, Baff could reflect with satisfaction on a 10th career podium finish in the season opener at the Italian resort. "I definitely had some nerves in the first heat, and then I came into my real snowboarding in the semi-final and big-final.
I really thought I could get the win in the end but Lea was just too fast and on point today, and I am happy for her to get her first career World Cup win," said the Jindabyne racer. Bolton, third in last year's standings, had to overcome back trouble in a chaotic 'big final' on his way to silver behind Austrian world champion Jakob Dusek later at Cervinia. "I actually had some trouble in the semi-final and had a back spasm and wasn't sure I was even going to be able to ride the finals, so super happy to come away with a.
