Ranked #1 in the world by both the FIS and the WSF for 2004 in SBX, Xavier is a strong competitor in Big Mountain competitions as well, placing 3rd at the O'Neill Extreme Freeride Challenge in '04. France's top Olympic hopeful, Xavier prides himself on being good at everything. He has four WX medals, including one gold (UltraCross '03) but has never won gold in SBX. He suffered a broken right clavicle Nov. 29th riding halfpipe.
The Frenchman Xavier De Le Rue excels at just about anything on a snowboard. He ranked number one in FIS boardercross in 2003. He won two big mountain competitons in 2003 and the Mt. Baker Banked Slalom in 2002. He has two Winter X medals both from 2003; a silver in SBX and gold in UltraCross (with partner Kaj Zackrisson)
The man to beat, everything Xavier touches turns to gold. He won seven competitions in 2001, earning the ISF World and North Am. Champion titles. He doesn't like FIS competitions so he has decided to work on freestyle because of the lack of snowboardcross competitions in '01-'02.