British snowboardcross star Zoe Gillings has continued her encouraging run of form in the run up to the Olympics with a 6th place finish in the latest World Cup competition.

The contest, which took place in Bad Gastein, saw Zoe up against the great and the good of the snowboardcross world, including 2006 silver medallist Lindsey Jacobellis, who won the event. Gillings had ridden well all weekend, qualifying in fourth place from her heat, and making it into the semi-final. Having got a great start in her semi, Zoe tucked herself in behind Jacobellis, but unfortunately wasn’t quick enough through a couple of the turns, and was just pipped to second, narrowly missing out on a place in the final.

The American Jacobellis took the top prize in a close-fought race with Helene Olafsen of Norway, while her compatriot Nate Holland beat the men’s field to make it a double first for the yanks.

However, Zoe’s sixth shows that she is getting to the top of her game at exactly the right time, a fact that was confirmed when she beat the current world number one Maelle Ricker in the fifth place run-off. Zoe said: “I’m really happy with todays result, especially with qualifying in 4th position yesterday. I’m really happy with my starts today as I have been practising these over the summer and I also beat the World No 1 who is one of the favourites for Gold in Vancouver in February, so overall I’m really happy with the result.”

We’re stoked to see Zoe doing so well, and wishing her all the best at the next event in Veysonnez, Switzerland on January 15th.