Krasnaya Polyana, Russia (SportsNetwork.com) - Lindsey Jacobellis posted the second-fastest time in the seeding run of Sunday's snowboard cross event, but fellow American Jacqueline Hernandez was one of two racers injured during their run.
Norway's Helene Olafsen was the first snowboarder to go, but was unable to finish following a crash. The 23-year-old was fourth in the 2010 Olympics in Vancouver and was coming off a third-place finish at the 2013 FIS World Championships.
Hernandez went sixth and the 21-year-old's first Olympic run ended when she slammed her head and neck on the ground on a fall. Hernandez at first laid motionless on the snow, but eventually was sitting up and talking before being taken off on a stretcher.
The two crashes came one day after Russian skicrosser Maria Komissarova sustained a serious spinal injury while training.
Jacobellis, meanwhile, was one of the racers locked into the top 12 seeds after the first run. Her time of 1 minute and 21.40 seconds was bested only by Eva Samkova of the Czech Republic. The 2014 X Games silver-medal winner had a time of 1:20.61.
Canada's Maelle Ricker came in fourth behind countrywoman Dominique Maltais. The 35-year-old Ricker took gold in this event four years ago.
American Faye Gulini was also one of the top-12 finishers with a time of 1:23.96. Each racer advanced to the quarterfinals, with those outside of the top 12 given the chance at a second run to better their time.
Jacobellis is attempting for a third time to win gold in women's snowboard cross after two disappointing showings. In 2006, she was on her way to winning the final when she grabbed her board on a jump at the bottom of the hill and fell. She settled for silver, then cut a gate at the Vancouver Games and failed to make the final.
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