SKI CROSS:

Del Bosco scores ski cross win in Les Contamines

Jan. 16, 2011     Photo: Chris Del Bosco (John Evely, from canadaskicross.ca); Video by Infront Sports & Media/FIS
 

LES CONTAMINES, France — Canada's Chris Del Bosco scored a World Cup ski cross victory Sunday, while teammate Kelsey Serwa picked up another podium finish on the women's side, placing second.

Del Bosco won the men's race ahead of Austria's Andreas Matt in second and Russia's Egor Korotkov in third. Canada's Brian Bennett was 16th, Stanislas Rey 38th and Davey Barr 40th.

Veteran Ophelie David of France won the women's battle, with Serwa runner-up and Sweden's Anna Holmlund third. Canada's Ashleigh McIvor was sixth.

Three Canadians occupied spots 14 through 16 — Danielle Poleschuk, Marielle Thompson and Julia Murray.

Just eight months ago, Del Bosco underwent knee surgery to repair a partially torn tendon in his left knee. Del Bosco was told that missing the entire 2010-11 season was a possibility.

Instead, his recovery has been much quicker than expected. And he's not just back competing — he's winning.

"I can't really believe where I'm at," Del Bosco said on a conference call.

Del Bosco battled pain in his left knee for two years before undergoing surgery last May in Vail, Colo. Doctors repaired a partial tear in the patella tendon and told him the recovery could wipe out his season.

Del Bosco said he felt really comfortable once he returned to the hills in October and gradually worked his way back into top form.

"Sometimes you get lucky," Del Bosco said. "Things just worked out really well when I got back on snow."

He's now essentially pain-free.

"I talked with Dr. (Tom) Hackett about it and said, 'I don't know what you did, you must be a magician,' ” Del Bosco said. "He's like, 'I don't know, maybe luck.' ”

On Sunday, Del Bosco got off to a great start in the final and was virtually unchallenged the rest of the way. With the victory, he moved into second place in the overall standings behind Matt.

"I'm skiing really well," Del Bosco said. "I'm right where I hoped to be."

As for Serwa, the podium appearance moved her into top spot in the overall standings. She said she's feeling relaxed on the course and it's paying off with results.

"I'm just really focusing on myself and skiing in the moment," Serwa said.

Serwa won gold last Wednesday at a World Cup at L'Alpe D'Huez, France.

"You can't train to have confidence," she said. "You have to get it just from experience and racing. I don't even know how to explain it. But yeah, my confidence is good.

"It just gives you that little bit more of an advantage over everyone else."  S-Magazine

— The Canadian Press contributed to this report

Les Contamines men's World Cup ski cross results

Les Contamines women's World Cup ski cross results