MONTAFON, Austria – Following a day of individual triumphs, France and Australia continued their stellar performances in the FIS Snowboard Cross World Cup with impressive podium finishes in the Mixed Team event on Saturday.
France 2, featuring Julia Pereira de Sousa and Aidan Chollet, secured the top spot, building on their individual success from Friday where they placed second and third, respectively. Australia 1, represented by Adam Lambert and Josie Baff, claimed second place, reinforcing Lambert’s individual runner-up position. The individual race winners, Loan Bozzolo and Lea Casta from France 1, rounded out the podium in third.
Josie Baff stood out as the only athlete to achieve podium finishes in both Mixed Team races this season, adding to her victory in Erzurum, Türkiye, earlier this month alongside Cameron Bolton.
The Mixed Team event delivered non-stop excitement, starting with the quarterfinals. France 1, with Bozzolo and Casta, set a strong pace early, advancing to the semifinals. Close races and dramatic moments, including a collision between Czech Republic and Canada 2, highlighted the intensity of the competition.
The semifinals saw fierce battles, particularly in the men’s leg, with riders finishing within fractions of a second. In the women’s leg, Pereira de Sousa’s explosive start propelled her team to the front, while Baff’s skillful maneuvers secured Australia’s place in the final.
The grand final was a nail-biting affair, with French teams leading the charge. Adam Lambert’s near-crash added to the tension, but he managed to stay in contention. Ultimately, Pereira de Sousa’s speed and Baff’s tactical prowess sealed victory for France 2 and second place for Australia 1.
“The team spirit and the good weather and atmosphere carried us through the whole day. It’s been a superb weekend for France, and we’re so happy,” said Julia Pereira de Sousa. Aidan Chollet added, “The sliding was super, my legs felt good, and then to be with Julia – she was huge today, she was so strong.”
The French team now heads into the upcoming World Championships with high confidence, having dominated the podium in Montafon. “It gives us confidence. We need to take a few days of rest to refuel and gain some energy before the world championships,” Pereira de Sousa noted.
Great Britain, the reigning world champions, faced challenges and will travel to Engadin without a Mixed Team victory this season.
The competition now shifts to Switzerland for the Engadin 2025 FIS Snowboard, Freestyle and Freeski World Championships, with the Snowboard Cross qualification on March 27 and finals on March 28 and 29. The season concludes with the Crystal Globes award at Mont Sainte-Anne, Canada, from April 4-6.
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