Seth Wescott, the two-time defending Olympic gold medal winner in snowboard cross, failed to make the finals of his first Olympic qualifying race since he injured his left knee last April, but he was very close.

Wescott, from Carrabassett Valley, missed the first two Olympic qualifying events as he rehabilitated his reconstructed left knee. Friday, in a World Cup race at Vallnord-Arcalis in Andorra, he came up just short of making the finals. He made two runs, with his best time being 1:13.15 on his first run. The last qualifying time was 1:13.13.

Alex Tuttle of Stratton advanced to the finals of the event, which will be held Saturday, with a first-run time of 1:12.12. He will be in a group that includes fellow American Trevor Jacob. The racing begins at 7:30 a.m.

Wescott’s next chance to earn a berth on the U.S. team will come Sunday, also at Vallnord-Arcalis.


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