Gutsy Gillings 8th at Olympics

The Isle of Man’s Zoe Gillings finished 8th in the Women’s snowboard cross in the Winter Olympics in Vancouver yesterday.

It represents a big improvement on her 15th place in Turin in Italy four years ago.

During the past year, she’s faced problems with training and funding in the run-up to the Olympics.

Tim Glover reports:-

Zoe qualified 8th to make the quarter-finals. She finished second in the four girl race behind fastest qualifier Mellie Francon of Switzerland.

However, third in the semi after being impeded when Francon fell in front of her meant no place in the medal final.

In the small final to decide 5th to 8th place, Zoe pulled up straight after coming out of the start gate.

It was later revealed she injured her knee in the semi-finals but wanted to start the consolation race to guarantee her place.

8th place at an Olympic Games though represents a fantastic achievement.