AMERICAN RIDERS DOMINATE WSF PARA-SNOWBOARD WORLD CUP RACES IN LAKE LOUISE
Bibian Mentel of the Netherlands and Evan Strong of USA proived too strong for group of riders

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(Lake Louise, AB – April 09, 2011) The 2011 World Snowboard Federation (WSF) Para –snowboard World Cup Tour came to an end in Lake Louise, Alberta, with the presentation of two races during the 2011 Canada~Snowboard Nationals presented by COLD-FX®.

A total 39 athletes from nine nations took to the snowboard cross course at the Lake Louise Ski Resort. The American were largely represented with 13 riders in the standing category, and they showcased their world domination with a combined ten podiums in the last two World Cup races of the season.

Evan Strong of the USA was without a doubt the strongest of the 24-men field, winning both races by a landslide. Strong was the only rider to break the 50 seconds mark, and he did it in all three runs in Saturday’s race.

Keith Gabel of the USA and Carl Murphy of New Zealand placed second Friday and Saturday respectively, while Mike Shea of the USA went back home with a pair of bronze medals.

In the women’s field, Bibian Mentel of the Netherlands rocked Lake Louise Ski Resort with back-to-back dictating wins. Mentel won the races with a wide margin, demonstrating her domination. Americans Amy Purdy and Nicole Roundy exchanged a pair of silver and gold medals, with Roundy taking silver on Friday and Purdy grabbing the second spot on Saturday.

Canada’s Tyler Mosher of Whistler, BC placed fourth and sixth – Canada’s top results on Friday. Mosher missed Friday’s podium by just 0.60s with a time of 1:47.52. The 2010 Paralympian in cross-country skiing is the 2010 World Champion in the discipline.

John Leslie of Ottawa, ON placed fifth  on Saturday, Canada’s top result with a time of 1:49.70. On Friday, Leslie placed 12th.

Mike Fisher of Vancouver, BC took the ninth place on Friday and the tenth place on Saturday, a pair of Top 10 results to close the season.

RESULTS – WSF PARA-SNOWBOARD WORLD CUP RACE #1 – FRIDAY APRIL 8, 2011
MEN
1. Evan Strong (USA) 1:39.43
2. Keith Gabel (USA) 1:45.74
3. Mike Shea (USA) 1:46.90
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4. Tyler Mosher (CAN) 1:47.52
9. Mike Fisher (CAN) 1:59.93
12. John Leslie (CAN) 2:02.78

WOMEN
1. Bibian Mentel (NED) 1:51.44
2. Nicole Purdy (USA) 2.11.57
3. Amy Purdy (USA) 2:14.69

RESULTS – WSF PARA-SNOWBOARD WORLD CUP RACE #1 – SATURDAY APRIL 9, 2011
MEN
1. Evan Strong (USA) 1:36.65
2. Carl Murphy (NZL)1:42.96
3. Mike Shea (USA) 1:43.27
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5. John Leslie (CAN) 1:49.70
6. Tyler Mosher (CAN) 1:50.12
10. Mike Fisher (CAN) 1:58.61

WOMEN
1. Bibian Mentel (NED) 1:50.27
2. Nicole Purdy (USA) 2.13.45
3. Amy Purdy (USA) 2:14.15