TELLURIDE, CO (Dec. 17) - The PGS course was kind to the Canadians Thursday as the second of two World Cup events in Telluride with Jasey Jay Anderson and Michael Lambert finishing first and second for the men. Russia's Alena Zavarzina won for the women and Adam Smith (Bend, OR) was the top finisher for the U.S., landing 14th.

"I'm just happy to be in the finals and top American is always good," Smith said. "I had a little hiccup on the bottom of the course and that was the difference. I just need to clean it up for the next one."

According to Smith, the course in Telluride was pristine, but a little fine tuning on his part would have launched him further in the race.

"The course is in perfect condition and Telluride has put on a great event," Smith said. "I went up against Simon Schoch [Switzerland] the first round and he's one of the top riders in the world. I had two really solid runs, could have cleaned up a few things, but overall rode fairly well. It was a tight close race."

According to U.S. Snowboarding Alpine Coach Jan Wengelin, small mistakes on such a great course make it hard to advance when everyone in the world is riding on their A game.

"I think it's the first World Cup of the season, there's some butterflies in there and they're making small mistakes. But on a hill like this with snow like this everyone rides so well that you just can't make small mistakes. It's really frustrating for the athletes," Wengelin said.

No other U.S. men made it in to the final round which, as far as Wengelin is concerned, is something that can be changed for the better.

"First run they were really composed and they were super motivated, but the second run didn't come through. We can turn this around really quick, we just have to take charge," Wengelin said.

In the women's field Zavarzina was followed in second and third by Austrians Marion Kreiner and Ina Meschik.

It was another hard one for Michelle Gorgone (Boston) who again was plagued with a broken toe bale in the middle of her qualification run, causing her to disqualify.

"Michelle was super unlucky, breaking two toe bales in two races. They were brand new bales, but there's nothing she could so. She never got a chance," Wengelin said.

According to Wengelin, the most frustrating part of Gorgone's situation is that she has the speed it takes to advance, but the equipment didn't hold up.

"She's quick, there's no doubt about that She knows she is fast and she knows she can get in there and compete, but when small things like that go against you, it's hard," Wengelin said.

U.S rider Lindsay Lloyd (Centerville, UT) also had some hot speed, but narrowly missed the final 16 ladder, finishing 17th for the day.

The racing in Telluride continues Friday with men's and women's snowboardcross qualifications. Fans can catch PGS on NBC Dec. 26 at 1:30 p.m. ET, and on Versus Jan. 3 at 5 p.m. ET.

OFFICIAL RESULTS
2010 LG FIS World Cup
Dec. 17, 2009 - Telluride, CO
Parallel Giant Slalom

Men
1. Jasey Jay Anderson, Canada
2. Michael Lambert, Canada
3. Rok Flander, Slovenia
4. Simon Schoch, Switzerland
5. Patrick Bussler, Germany
-
14. Adam Smith, Bend, OR
20. Vic Wild, White Salmon, WA
23. Chris Klug, Aspen, CO
25. Tyler Jewell, Steamboat Springs, CO
32. Justin Reiter, Steamboat Springs, CO
35. Zac Kay, Mount Shasta, CA
44. Darren Ratcliffe, Steamboat Springs, CO
47. Garrett Sorteberg, Park City, UT
48. Michael Trapp, Hyannis, MA
52. Josh Wylie, Londonderry, VT

Women
1. Alena Zavarzina, Russia
2. Marion Kreiner, Austria
3. Ina Meschik, Austria
4. Heidi Neururer, Austria
5. Doris Guenther, Austria
-
17. Lindsay Lloyd, Centerville, UT
27. Lynn Ott, Bend, OR
43. Erica Mueller, Steamboat Springs, CO
44. Madeline Wiencke, Newport, MN
45. Heather Herde, Oxford, CT
49. Cassandra Wagar, Steamboat Springs, CO
51. Jessie Hazen, Denver
52. Abby Champagne, Chester, NH
DNF Michelle Gorgone, Boston