Snowboarders Jo Shaw and Emanuel Oppliger have both posted top 60 per cent results in the opening parallel giant slalom World Cup of the season, one of three they need to meet the Australian Olympic Committee's selection criteria for the Torino Games team.

Oppliger finished in 34th place in the field of 66, recording a 34.46 second run in qualifying to finish 2.58 seconds behind fastest qualifier Simon Schoch of Switzerland.

It was a career-best placing for the 30-year-old rider and his first top 40 result.

Heinz Inniger of Switzerland went on to win the event from team-mate Giles Jacquet, with Schoch in third place in a Swiss clean sweep of the podium.

Shaw rode a qualifying time of 37.46 seconds, 2.42 seconds behind the fastest woman, Fraenzi Kohli of Switzerland, to finish in 37th place.

French veteran Isabelle Blanc took the gold medal from Amelie Kober of Germany, with Daniela Meuli of Switzerland in the bronze medal position.

As well as three top 60 per cent results, the Australian duo also have to achieve one top 25 placing to meet the International Ski Federation qualification criteria for the Games.

Courtesy OWI/Sportcom


Jo Shaw