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Fri, 02/05/2010 - 3:08pmXavier de Le Rue wins Nissan Russian Adventure
Radical line and new victory for Xavier de Le Rue in Chamonix at the Nissan Russian Adventure
Xavier de Le Rue won the Nissan Russian Adventure by Swatch, relocated in Chamonix due to weather and avalanche risks in Russia.
The competition site, The North-East face of l’aiguille pourrie allowed riders to make choices between relatively mellow terrain with freestyle options or fast steep line Alaska style. Xavier decided to go for the second choice. He performed it de Le Rue style, combining fluid fast turns with radical cliff drop and clean landings. This breathtaking line would go unequalled for the rest of the competition and bring back Xavier in the game to defend his back to back freeride world champ titles.
Here are Xavier’s comments about the day,
“I was already in Chamonix few days ago for the freeride world tour and I had big crashes, totally eaten by the pressure. I didn’t recognise myself as I did such stupid mistakes. Today there was this line that really attracted me and that looked really natural. I went in there, the snow was great, I forgot about the contest, I just had fun and it paid off, it’s a really good and I’m stoked to be going to the Olympics with that victory. It kind of reminds me where I’m from and that’s good.”
Xavier will not even have the time to savour his victory as he will leave Europe tomorrow morning for Mt Bachelor, Oregon to meet up with the French snowboard cross team for a week of riding and off media solicitations before heading to Vancouver Olympic games.