U.S. doubles-up with XCC wins at home in Snowshoe

Mud and wet weather wreaked havoc on Friday’s short track XC World Cup in Snowshoe, but two U.S. riders still managed to rise above the much to deliver wins for the vocal West Virginia crowd. Gwendalyn Gibson, then XCC world champion Christopher Blevins both crossed the line first after 20 frantic minutes of racing.

Gwendalyn Gibson takes in her victory. Photo: Bartek Wolinski / Red Bull Content Pool .

Jenny Rissveds leads out the women’s field. Photo: Bartek Wolinski / Red Bull Content Pool

Gwendalyn Gibson with the stars and stripes. Photo: Bartek Wolinski / Red Bull Content Pool

Emily Batty traverses the treacherous mud of West Virginia. Photo; Bartek Wolinski / Red Bull Content Pool

Elite Women

Gwendalyn Gibon (Norco Factory Team) rose above conditions and a star-studded women’s field to earn the elite women’s win. Anne Terpstra (Ghost Factory Racing) and Jenny Rissveds (Team 31 Ibis) round out the podium with Swiss riders Alessandra Keller (Thome Maxon) and Jolanda Neff (Trek Factory Racing) following in fourth and fifth.

Canadians in Snowshoe

Laurie Arseneault (Canyon MTB Racing) led the Canadian effort in America, matching her 14th-place finish from 2021. Jennifer Jackson (Canyon MTB) followed eight seconds behind in 16th. That puts both the Canadian XCC national champion and her teammate on the second row of the start grid for Sunday’s XCO event.

Sandra Walter (Liv Canada) led a trio of Canadians across the line in 20th, with Haley Smith (Maxxis Factory Racing) and Emily Batty (Canyon MTB Racing) in 21st and 22nd. Cindy Montambault in 27th and Dana Gilligan in 28th round ot the Canadian effort.

Christopher Blevins posts up in his rainbow jersey. Photo: Bartek Wolinski / Red Bull Content Pool

Christopher Blevins leads Henrique Avancini in Snowshoe. Photo: Bartek Wolinski / Red Bull Content Pool

Christopher Blevins holds up the flag at home. Photo: Bartek Wolinski / Red Bull Content Pool

The elite men’s podium in America. Photo: Bartek Wolinski / Red Bull Content Pool

Elite Men

On the men’s side, Christopher Blevins (Specialized) showed off his rainbow jersey in his home World Cup, crossing the line with time to post up and celebrate the win. The XCC world champion led Romanian Vlad Dascalu (Trek Factory Racing) and Luca Braidot (Santa Cruz FSA), the winner of the last two rounds.

Friday’s short track included a scary moment for Nino…