TELLURIDE, Colo. (Dec. 16) - Shaun Palmer (S. Lake Tahoe, CA) led an all American final in the Jeep King of the Mountain snowboardcross Sunday in Telluride. He not only picked up the win but also notched a spot on U.S. Snowboarding's A Team for the season. World champion Lindsey Jacobellis (Stratton Mountain, VT) fended off a strong women's field to also take a win in the opening King of the Mountain event of the season in single digit temperatures. Each pocketed $15,000.

It was a huge win for Palmer, who had qualified for the 2006 Olympic SBX Team only to suffer a season-ending injury just weeks before the Games. Palmer upset Olympic champion Seth Wescott (Carrabassett Valley, ME) with Graham Watanabe (Sun Valley, ID) third.

"It was pretty exciting to have an all American final four," said U.S. Snowboarding Head Coach Peter Foley. "And we're really stoked for Shaun to qualify for a spot and join us for the rest of the season." The addition of Palmer to the already stacked U.S. Snowboarding men's lineup will present a formidable force when the World Cup resumes Jan. 13 in Bad Gastein, Austria. Palmer clinched his spot by criteria of winning a major international event.

It was an impressive showing for the Americans against a strong international field. "Many of the top World Cup players were here," said Foley. "It was a good showing for us."

The Americans had good bracket management, with Palmer and Watanabe both advancing together from the opening round of 32 through quarters, semis and into the finals. Wescott and Holland met in the quarters and advanced together to the championship round of four. Watanabe had multiple scares but kept hanging in, including a tight contest with the World Cup's number three-ranked rider Drew Neilson of Canada in the semis.

Jacobellis made it through the early heats easily but faced World Cup leader Maelle Ricker of Canada in the finals. The Olympic silver medalist held her off to take the victory for the USA. Olympic bronze medalist Dominque Maltais of Canada was third.

The King of the Mountain series will resume in mid-February in Squaw Valley, CA.

OFFICIAL RESULTS

JEEP KING OF THE MOUNTAIN SBX
Telluride, CO
Dec. 16, 2007
Men
1. Shaun Palmer, S. Lake Tahoe, CA
2. Seth Wescott, Carrabassett Valley, ME
3. Graham Watanabe, Sun Valley, ID
4. Nate Holland, Squaw Valley, CA

Women
1. Lindsey Jacobellis, Stratton Mountain, VT
2. Maelle Ricker, Canada
3. Dominique Maltais, Canada
4. Helene Olafsen, Norway