Baff and Lambert claim yellow leader’s bib in China

New South Wales Institute of Sport (NSWIS) scholarship holders Josie Baff and Adam Lambert have each claimed their second consecutive podium of the season at the FIS World Cup Snowboard Cross event in Dongbeiya, China, with Baff taking silver and Lambert bronze.

Their strong performances elevate the two athletes from Jindabyne in the NSW Snowy Mountains to first place in the World Cup standings, earning them the coveted yellow leader’s bib.

After qualifying sixth on Friday, Baff opened strongly in finals, winning her quarter-final and finishing second in her semi-final to progress to the big final.

In a tightly contested race, victory went to Charlotte Bankes of Great Britain, with Baff taking silver and France’s Chloé Trespeuch placing third. The result marks the 16th World Cup podium of Baff’s career.

NSWIS athlete Mia Clift featured in the small final, finishing seventh, her best result so far this season.

In the men’s event, Lambert overcame a challenging opening round of qualifying, advancing via the second run in 23rd place. Once in finals, he delivered a strong display, winning his round of 32, quarter-final, and semi-final to secure his place in the big final.

Victory in the men’s big final went Austria’s Jakob Dusek, Canada’s Eliot Grondin placed second, and Lambert secured bronze, his eighth World Cup podium.

“The course in China is very short, very sharp, things are coming at you quickly here and you’ve got to be ready. I came in today with a plan I wanted to execute, and I managed to execute that plan. said 28-year-old Lambert, a two-time Olympian.

“For sure this feels like the best form of my career, but Boardercross is a cruel sport, and your luck can change on a dime. Of course, this gives me confidence going into the Olympic Games, but I need to stay grounded in the reality that I’ve got to work for every inch on the track. No freebies.”

On wearing the yellow bib for the first time in his career, Lambert added:

“Yes, it absolutely does feel like an honour. Obviously just two races into the season anything can happen but for now I will savour the feeling, and to do it at the same time as Josie who was my neighbour for most of my childhood is a special privilege.”

Other Australian results included Cam Bolton and Abbey Wilson (both NSWIS) progressing to the quarterfinals, with Bolton finishing tenth and Wilson achieving a personal best of 16th. NSWIS duo Jarryd Hughes placed 23rd in his return from injury, James Johnston finished 24th, and Declan Dent placed 52nd, missing the finals. Unfortunately, NSWIS’s Amber Essex did not compete after sustaining a knee injury in training and will undergo further assessment in Australia.

After two World Cup events, Baff leads the women’s standings with 140 points, 10 ahead of Italy’s Michela Moioli on 130. In the men’s standings, Lambert sits atop with 120 points, holding a 10‑point advantage over Grondin.

Story courtesy of OWIA