Zoe Gillings, Britain's No.1 Olympic snow sports athlete yesterday finished in an incredible 4th place at the latest world cup snowboard cross event in Switzerland. In the last 3 world cup competitions, Zoe has finished 10th in the USA, 7th in Switzerland and in 4th place yesterday.
Due to Zoe's World class podium funding being withdrawn after the Vancouver Olympics in 2010 when her governing body - SnowsportGB - went into administration, Zoe can only compete as Britain's No.1 and as one of the best snowboard athletes in the world due to the fanastic support of her personal sponsors Neteller, Pokerstars, Isle of Man Sports Aid and BMW. Zoe completely self funds her own Olympic snowboard program and despite standing on the World Cup podium at the end of last season and with three top 10 results this season and a current world ranking of 7th - Zoe has had no other option but to turn entrepreneur... now running the Isle of Man's larges daily deals website - www.IsleofDeals.com as World Class funding still evades her.
Zoe qualified for the heats today in 4th position out of a field of 28 ensuring excellent lane choice throughout the next 3 heats. Riding extremely well, Zoe finished her first heat in 2nd place out of 6, then in the semi final had another excellent heat finishing again in 2nd place out of 6 and despite a bad start in the final Zoe fought all the way down the course finishing in 4th place overall, just a few centimetres behind a podium position but beating the Olympic Gold medallist - Maelle Ricker in the process.
Zoe commented after the race, "I've had another great race here today and my confidence is growing every day, in the last 3 World Cup competitions Ive finished 10th, 7th and 4th respectively and have an overall World Ranking of 7th. I have only been able to achieve this due to my sponsors and my business on the Isle of Man - www.IsleofDeals.com. Thank you so much to everyone helping me. Im really looking forward to appointing my first full time employee at IsleofDeals.com as running that on a daily basis as well as training and competing at World Cup competitions is kinda hard!"
Zoe's newest sponsors, Neteller, have greatly assisted Zoe in attending the next major event - the winter X Games in Colorado as this is one of the most costly competitons of the calendar and Zoe is solely using her Neteller e wallet / Net + card throughout the competition.
Zoe continued, "Pokerstars and especially Neteller have allowed me to compete at the X Games which im extremely greatful for, if it wasnt for them and IOM Sports Aid i wouldnt be heading out tomorrow."
Zoe now heads to the prestigious invite only X-Games event in Colorado for her next Snowboard cross competition on the 27th/28th January 2012.
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