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Daron Rahlves wins Winter XGames 2008

Daron Rahlves survived to make it to the final round of Winter XGames Skier X, and goes home with the gold.  Stanley Hayer comes away with a silver medal and Tomáš Kraus finished in 6th position.  Stay tuned for more..

The most amazing skicross race Ive ever seen.  Excellent snow, great track layout, huge airs, tons of obstacles, and the best skicrossers planet Earth has to offer all fighting one another for the gold and glory.

The XGames skicross final saw, from left to right, Errol Kerr (USA), Casey Puckett (USA), Daron Rahlves (USA), World Champion Tomáš Kraus (CZE), Michael Schmid (SUI), and Ski Tour Champion Stanley Hayer (CAN).

Just before the starting gate dropped the racers squatted down low anticipating the drop, all except Swiss racer Schmid who stood a bit more upright.  Tomáš Kraus showed why he is the World Champion by leading the pack off the first obstacle.  After the first set of rollers it was Kraus leading, followed closely by Puckett, and Hayer.  Rahlves and Kerr were shoulder to shoulder in 4th, and Swiss racer Schmid found himself following in last position.  Kerr caught some air in the rollers losing ground to Rahlves who was now rubbing elbows with Hayer.  Into a left handed downhill double Kraus, Puckett, and Hayer aired it out nicely, while Rahlves stayed wide soaking it up keeping his skis on the snow.  He set himself up on the inside of Puckett and forced Hayer to keep to the outside line. 

Results : here

video action

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8_gc5Jch-XY

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=urEGEaIvvz8