Snowboarders Take First, Second Place at Finnish Championship
Published: 23.03.2012 14:50
Ivar Kruusenberg and Kadri Pihla
( Photo: Courtesy of Estonian Ski Association )
Estonians claimed first place in women's and second place in men's snowboard cross at the Finnish Snowboarding Championships in Ruka on Thursday.
In the women's competition, Kadri Pihla got off to a bad start on Wednesday, breaking her board and injuring her hip in a fall during a trial race. Pihla had been so upset with the builders of the track, she considered quitting. But that only added to the excitement when Pihla took first place while riding on borrowed equipment on Thursday, according to a press release from the Ski Association.
Meanwhile, Ivar Kruusenberg, who has also raced in several World Cup events this year, finished second in the men's snowboard cross finals. Estonia's junior champion, Siim Paalo (17), seeking entry to next season's World Cup, achieved the fifth-best time in the qualifiers, but fell during the quarter finals, ending on a bad note.
The championships continue on Saturday, when three Estonian men - Mario Visnap, Siim Aunison and Sulev Paalo - take part in the freestyle event.