Australian, Swiss win in Snowboard Cross at Winter YOG

VILLARS, Switzerland - Josie Baff grabbed first gold for Australia in Snowboard Cross event at the Winter Youth Olympic Game here on Monday, Switzerland's Valerio Jud won the men's race.

Only 0.05 seconds faster than France's Margaux Herpin, Baff scrambled to front during the last sprint, the margin was way beyond eye detection.

"Everyone was racing so well, every single race has been insanely close," said the women's champion.

Baff said she was "stoked" by this dramatic victory, which brought Australia's first medal, a gold.

On the women's third place is Switzerland's Anouk Doerig, whose compatriot, Valerio Jud, took the men's trophy.

Team Switzerland has won 4 gold medals at Villars Winter Park so far.

"The race was a little bit sketchy but the end was good. Having the support from the crowd was very nice," said Jud.

Chinese snowboarder Nimayongqing and Chai Xin took part in the men's and women's race respectively; both of them hadn't been on snowboard before July, 2018.

Although none of the Chinese racers entered the finals, they were praised by their team officer, Li Zhongyi.

"Their improvements are really significant, they might not have years of boarding liked the European athletes, but they are putting in lots of hours every day."