Americans Holland, Jacobellis win World Cup snowboardcross races in Austria

Holland, Jacobellis win WCup snowboardcross

BAD GASTEIN, Austria — Americans Nate Holland and Lindsey Jacobellis won World Cup snowboardcross races Sunday to improve their chances of making the U.S. Olympic team.

Jacobellis beat Helene Olafsen of Norway for her 20th overall win, but her first this season.

“I’m stoked. I definitely needed that. I’ve been in kind of a little slump lately, and this felt great,” Jacobellis said. “It takes off a lot of the pressure that this has happened. It supports my confidence and helps me go into the next one.”

Jacobellis won the silver medal at the 2006 Olympics, and the World Cup victory should guarantee a return trip. The American team will be named at the end of the month.

Holland earned his third career World Cup victory, and first of the season, by defeating Pierre Vaultier of France in the final. Mario Fuchs took third ahead of fellow Austrian Markus Schairer.

Vaultier leads the standings with 2,800 points. Robert Fagan of Canada is second with 1,490 points, followed by Holland on 1,480.

Maelle Ricker of Canada, who finished seventh, leads the standings with 2,360 points. Jacobellis climbed to second place, 830 points behind. Dominique Maltais of Canada is third with 1,460.