Pullin leaves it late to snatch Snowboard-cross World Cup

By Sportsbeat staff

AUSTRALIAN Alex Pullin saved his best until last as his first FIS Snowboard-cross World Cup victory of the season in the final race helped him claim the overall title.

LAST GASP: Alex Pullin hadn't won a World Cup race all season but topped the podium in the final race to take the crown back to Australia

Pullin had already been crowned world champion this year but added World Cup champion to his ever-growing CV as he crossed the line first in Switzerland, jumping from outside the medals to win by 60 points.

Frenchman Pierre Vaultier had held the overall lead but could only finish eighth in Arosa and was forced to settle for World Cup silver.

Jonathan Cheever from America picked up bronze, despite finishing down in 41st, with the final podium of the season completed by Italy's Luca Matteotti in second and USA's Nick Baumgartner in third.

Meanwhile, Great Britain's Thomas Bankes ended his season down in 55th to finish 77th overall.

In the women's final race, after waiting an age for their first World Cup victory, Bulgaria had Alexandra Jekova to thank for two in as many days.

The Bulgarian raced to her second victory in 24 hours in Arosa and in doing so leapfrogged into silver overall.

Canada's Dominique Maltais already had the gold in the bag and finished eighth, with American Lindsey Jacobellis crossing second to collect overall bronze.

France's Nelly Moenne Loccoz completed the podium in third, while Great Britain's Zoe Gilling's was 13th, ending her World Cup 16th overall.