Snowboard Cross

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SBX redirects here. For the radar system, see Sea-based X-band Radar.

Snowboard Cross (sometimes referred to as Boarder Cross) is a snowboard competition in which a group of racers (usually four or more) start simultaneously atop an inclined course, then attempt to reach the end of the course first.

The course is typically quite narrow and includes cambered turns, gap jumps, berms, drops, and steep and flat sections designed to challenge the riders' ability to stay in control. It is not uncommon for racers to collide with each other. Some observers have compared the sport to short track speed skating because of the amount of contact involved. The name and the riders' full-face helmets show the sport's influence by motocross.

Snowboard cross was created by Steven Rechtschaffer, and the first course was created on Whistler Blackcomb during 1990.

[edit] In major multi-sport competitions

Snowboard Cross has been an event in every X-Games since their start in 1997. It made its Winter Olympics debut in 2006. The first Olympic medals for Men's Snowboard Cross were won by:

Medal	Athlete
Gold	Image:Flag of the United States.svg Seth Wescott (USA) <ref>Torino 2006 - Snowboard, Men's Snowboard Cross Finals</ref>
Silver	Image:Flag of Slovakia.svg Radoslav Židek (SVK)
Bronze	Image:Flag of France.svg Paul-Henri De Le Rue (FRA)

The first Olympic medals for Women's Snowboard Cross were won by:

Medal	Athlete
Gold	Image:Flag of Switzerland.svg Tanja Frieden (SUI) <ref>Torino 2006 - Snowboard, Women's Snowboard Cross Finals</ref>
Silver	Image:Flag of the United States.svg Lindsey Jacobellis (USA)
Bronze	Image:Flag of Canada.svg Dominique Maltais (CAN)

[edit] In video games

The EA Sports SSX (Super Snow Cross) series of video games are based on Snowboard Cross. It is very much an arcade-style video game, not a simulation game, focusing more on unrealistic tricks and larger-than-life courses.

The game Sonic Riders, a Sonic the Hedgehog series racing game in which SEGA characters race on hoverboards, is partly inspired by Snowboard Cross.