Mammoth’s Teller on podium in skicross; Rahlves 8th at X Games

By Freddy Perryman, U.S. Ski Team

ASPEN -– John Teller of Mammoth Lakes claimed skicross X Games gold Sunday, marking his first X Games victory. Casey Puckett of Aspen came out of retirement to finish with the bronze.

“I knew exactly what I was planning on doing (in the final). It ended up working and I came home with the win,” said Teller.

Teller’s win was a tight one though as he won by just half a ski length over Ameircan Chris Del Bosco, who skis for Canada. X Games gold is just another addition to the Mammoth native’s historic 2011. Earlier this year Teller won the first ever skicross World Cup by an American in St. Johann, Austria.

Adding to the drama of the day was the return of Puckett to Winter X skicross. The 38-year old had walked away from the sport after eight Winter X Skicross appearances, but came back just in time to take bronze in skicross.

The skiing legend seemed glad to be back at Winter X, even cheekily updating his Facebook page after a good run in qualifiers.

“I got second in qualifying,” said Puckett. “From the couch to the podium!”

In the women’s skicross, Canadian Kelsey Serwa beat out French veteran Ophelie David in one of the most bizarre finishes in the history of the sport. Neck-in-neck going into the final money booter, the two got tangled on the landing and crashed over the finish line. Both arose bloodied and battered, but Serwa had slid across first and won the gold. Switzerland’s Fanny Smith rounded out the podium with bronze.

Official results, Winter X Games, Aspen, Skicross

Men

1. John Teller, Mammoth Lakes, CA, 1:21.167

2. Chris Del Bosco, Canada, 1:21.197

3. Casey Puckett, Aspen, CO, 1:21.979

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9. Daron Rahlves, Truckee, CA, 1:23.918

Women

1. Kelsey Serwa, Canada, 1:28.830

2. Ophelie David, France, 1:29.162

3. Fanny Smith, Switzerland, 1:29.367