Drew Neilson of North Vancouver, BC, led the final from start to finish to win the gold medal in the men's snowboard cross at the season opening World Cup snowboard competition Thursday in Valle Nevado, Chile.

Canadian victory with tough competition
Neilson took the four-man final over Xavier Delerue of France who placed second, Junte Grundelius of Sweden and Jordi Font of Spain. It was the 28-year-old Canadian's first World Cup victory since winning the snowboard cross event in Whistler, B.C.

"It was a really fast course and you had to take some risks," said Neilson, the 2000 Extreme Games champion. "The visibility was bad and there were a few surprises. It's a great way to start the season. Last year I ended the year with a win on another circuit, so I guess I'm on a roll."

Boardercross possible in Olympics
The snowboard cross is still under consideration for inclusion at the 2006 Olympic Games. As of now halfpipe and parallel giant slalom are the Olympic events in snowboard."I have my fingers crossed, that the snowboard cross will get into the Games," said Neilson. If it does, I certainly plan to continue until then. It's a dream to win an Olympic gold for Canada."

World Cup champion injured
Jasey-Jay Anderson of Mont-Tremblant, Que., the defending World Cup champion, bumped his head in the preliminary round but still finished the race and qualified for the final. However he was advised by doctors to retire for the day and he withdrew.

Competition continues Friday with the men's and women's halfpipe.

[Source: Canadian Sport News]

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