SKI COOPER \u2013 Vail snowboard cross racer Senna Leith has now checked a World Cup big final off his list, which means a podium is next.<\/p>\n
It\u2019s the logical progression of any snowboard cross racer, and for Leith \u2013 who is now embarking on his second full year of World Cup competition \u2013 to have that big final under his belt means he can relax a bit.<\/p>\n
Back home Vail this week after a strong start to the season in Cervinia, Italy, Leith said he\u2019s finally feeling comfortable in the World Cup starting gate.<\/p>\n
\u201cI don\u2019t have to prove anything anymore, now people know that I can ride at the top level,\u201d Leith said.<\/p>\n
Everyone\u2019s goal in every race, the big final is the last event in a World Cup snowboard cross event.<\/p>\n
Getting there means a whole day of racing, not including a qualifying event, which usually takes place the day before. After five rounds of racing leading up to the big final, the last event pits six racers against each other to determine the top six spots in the competition.<\/p>\n
Leith was the only American to make the big final in the first World Cup event of the season this year in Cervinia on Dec. 21.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt was a huge day for me,\u201d he said. \u201cIt was my first time making the big final being the top finishing American. Definitely checked a couple big ones off the list.\u201d<\/p>\n
With his rookie status now in the past, Leith said the fact that he was feeling more comfortable this season after getting the debut year out of the way in 2017-18 may have contributed to his success in the first race of the year.<\/p>\n
\u201cMy racing that day was the most comfortable I\u2019ve ever been racing,\u201d he said. \u201cI can get in a World Cup gate right now and be really confident.\u201d<\/p>\n
Leith is now training with coach Ross Hindman at the International Snowboard Training Center, which is currently putting on a camp at Ski Cooper. Many of the world\u2019s top international snowboarders are there.<\/p>\n
Leith is a member of the U.S. Ski & Snowboard\u2019s Snowboard Cross Development Team, which represents the lowest tier of support from the organization, but at just 21 years old, Leith said he relished the opportunity to train with Hindman another year before joining the higher ranks of the U.S. Team.<\/p>\n
\u201cI work so well with Ross as a coach and I still feel myself progressing with him, so honestly I\u2019m not in such a rush to get off the development team,\u201d Leith said.<\/p>\n
Leith said having the camp near his home, and having a strong start to the season, has him excited about every day at Ski Cooper.<\/p>\n
\u201cEach race that goes by I earn more respect from the older guys on the World Cup, and that definitely feels good because these are people that I\u2019ve looked up to my whole life, and now I\u2019m racing against them and they\u2019re starting to respect me more as a racer, which is a huge step in my progression as far as my riding and the confidence that I gain,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
The next World Cup races take place in Feldberg, Germany, Feb. 8-10.<\/p>\n