Lambert and Nirani-Pereira secure huge victories in Dongbeiya finale
Jan 18, 2026·Snowboard Cross)
Adam Lambert stretched his lead in the season rankings with a first ever World Cup victory in Dongbeiya, while Julia Nirani-Pereira recorded her maiden World Cup success of the season in a dramatic end to this weekend double-header.
The Australian held his nerve in a dramatic Big Final to defy Olympic champion Alessandro Haemmerle (AUT) and Nathan Pare (USA).
Nirani-Pereira created equally joyous scenes in the Big Final, getting her first World Cup win of 2025/26 ahead of French compatriot Chloe Trespeuch and new ranking leader Charlotte Bankes (GBR).
It brought to an end an action-packed trio of days in this final World Cup stop before the Milano Cortina Winter Olympic Games.
Lambert's dream season continues
After a dramatic first finals day in Dongbeiya, a familiar lineup headed into this second decider without Spain's Lucas Eguibar Breton who was ruled out after crashing on Saturday.
Having been pipped to victory a day earlier, Eliot Grondin came out the blocks in qualification the same way as he did on Friday, leading things with a time of 34.98. In his quarterfinal, the potential path to glory looked like it could have been a little clearer than a day earlier too. Saturday’s winner Jakob Dusek (AUT) failed to progress through the quarterfinal, one which Grondin won.
But Grondin’s hopes of a weekend victory ended in the semifinals, as Olympic champion Haemmerle (AUT) and Nathan Pare (USA) reached the Big final. They were joined by season leader Lambert (AUS) and Lorenzo Sommariva (ITA), with all four looking to bring the weekend to a close on a high.
Pare went hard – and in more than hope – as he looked to end USA’s wait for a World Cup victory, but the Big Final belonged to Lambert who crossed ahead of Haemmerle and Pare. Lambert’s win is his first ever, coming after 75 starts, and sparked huge celebrations, with girlfriend Jana Fischer there to celebrate with him. The way his season is going, there could be many more scenes of jubilation to come. His lead stands at 59 points in the rankings ahead of Grondin.
For Pare, his first podium of the season represents clear progress. "It was a crazy heat, a crazy day all together. I was just trying to be patient all day. I’m a small guy and I tried to use the draft to my advantage - luckily it worked out. It was a battle through and through, but I’m super happy with how everything went."
Jubilation for Julia
Heading into Sunday, all eyes were back on Charlotte Bankes (GBR) after she claimed her third race victory in China. Qualifications indicated a fourth could be on the horizon, her qualification best of 38.00 tied with Eva Adamczykova (CZE). And Bankes was the winner of a quarterfinal that saw reigning Crystal Globe winner Lea Casta (FRA) miss out on a semifinal spot, pipped out of contention by Mia Clift (AUS).
Clift’s compatriot - the ranking leader coming into Sunday - Josie Baff didn’t progress into the Big Final (finishing fifth overall), opening the door for the final quad of Clift, Bankes, Chloe Trespeuch (FRA) and Julia Nirani-Pereira (FRA). There was disappointment too for both Adamczykova and reigning World champion Michela Moioli who crashed out in the semifinals.
With such a cast list, the final didn’t disappoint. Bankes led early on, but it was France’s Nirani-Pereira who found the speed to get out in front and held her lead under pressure in the final seconds to record a huge World Cup win. It was a France 1-2 with Trespeuch recording back-to-back podiums, Bankes in third after a photo finish with Clift. That third spot moves Bankes into position as tour leader with 189 points to Baff’s 185.
"I was leading and then felt Julia come back, had one bad jump, lost all my speed and then just tried to limit the impact" reflects Bankes. "It’s one small mistake today but I’ve been riding well and I’m happy with how I’m riding. I’ll take that lesson into next month."
CURRENT STANDINGS
Men's Competition:
Adam Lambert (AUS) - 220
Eliot Grondin (CAN) - 161
Jonas Chollet (FRA) - 143
Jakob Dusek (AUT) - 132
Alessandro Haemmerle (AUT) - 120
Women's Competition:
Charlotte Bankes (GBR) - 189
Josie Baff (AUS) - 185
Julia Nirani-Pereira (FRA) - 177
Michela Moioli (ITA) - 162
Chloe Trespeuch (FRA) - 159
Attention on the Games
Today's action brought a break to the World Cup action as all eyes now head towards the 2026 Olympic Winter Games in Milano Cortina. Dongbeiya was the final opportunity to secure Olympic quota places, with the Games just a couple of weeks away. Our action begins on 12 February. As those heading to the Games prepare for competition, we wish the best to all those going in pursuit of Olympic medal spots!
Keep an eye on our channels for all the info and coverage both in the build up to and during Games time.
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