Australia's Alex "Chumpy" Pullin has produced his best result of the season by finishing fourth at the snowboard cross World Cup at Blue Mountain, Canada.
But the day could have been even better for the reigning World Champion. He looked to be headed to a certain victory with just 20 metres to go before the finish line, but an error on the last jump saw three of the other five athletes in the field move in front of him to claim the podium positions.
Frenchman and series leader Pierre Vaultier recorded his 13th World Cup victory, with Germany's David Speiser finishing second and American Nick Baumgartner in third.
Pullin and the AIS snowboard program head coach Ben Wordsworth were philosophical about the result, pleased that Pullin again showed he has the speed to win.
"He goes out to win every time. Finishing fourth in a World Cup, fourth in a World Championship, fourth in an Olympics, or even second at the Olympics, it's not what he wants to do. And when you think about it, that is a good thing."
"This season hasn't been easy but he's all good. We've got a pretty positive outlook on where we're at, he's healthy and fast. If he rides like he did today, he is going to win races, there's no doubt," Wordsworth said.
Pullin had a good day until the final. Yet again he asserted his presence in qualifying, being just 0 .48 seconds away from clocking the fastest time, and then went on to win two of his knockout heats, finishing second in the semi-final, before dominating the final for most of the race.
The snowboard cross rider will now be setting his sights on the World Cup fifth round event on February 20 at Stoneham, Canada, regarded by snowboard cross athletes as the season's benchmark.
Competing in only his second World Cup event, NSW Institute of Sport athlete Cameron Bolton finished in 41st place after making the finals and impressing onlookers with the 16th fastest time in qualifying.
US Grand Prix Snowboard Cross event
Following the Blue Mountain World Cup, a number of Australian snowboard cross athletes travelled to the USA for the US Grand Prix event in the Canyons, Utah.
AIS snowboarder Alex "Chumpy" Pullin was the number one ranked athlete after qualifying,but an ankle injury suffered in practise unfortunatly kept Alex from competing in the final, he finished in 17th place as a result of his qualification rank.
16-year-old NSW snowboarder Jarryd Hughes impressed in a strong field to record his second straight Nor-Am bronze medal, with other Australian performances including NSWIS athlete Cameron Bolton in 12th, Daniel Morrissy 24th, Bryan Taylor 30th and Gregory Whitehead 53rd. In the women's event Belle Brockhoff was 13th.
But the day could have been even better for the reigning World Champion. He looked to be headed to a certain victory with just 20 metres to go before the finish line, but an error on the last jump saw three of the other five athletes in the field move in front of him to claim the podium positions.
Frenchman and series leader Pierre Vaultier recorded his 13th World Cup victory, with Germany's David Speiser finishing second and American Nick Baumgartner in third.
Pullin and the AIS snowboard program head coach Ben Wordsworth were philosophical about the result, pleased that Pullin again showed he has the speed to win.
"He goes out to win every time. Finishing fourth in a World Cup, fourth in a World Championship, fourth in an Olympics, or even second at the Olympics, it's not what he wants to do. And when you think about it, that is a good thing."
"This season hasn't been easy but he's all good. We've got a pretty positive outlook on where we're at, he's healthy and fast. If he rides like he did today, he is going to win races, there's no doubt," Wordsworth said.
Pullin had a good day until the final. Yet again he asserted his presence in qualifying, being just 0 .48 seconds away from clocking the fastest time, and then went on to win two of his knockout heats, finishing second in the semi-final, before dominating the final for most of the race.
The snowboard cross rider will now be setting his sights on the World Cup fifth round event on February 20 at Stoneham, Canada, regarded by snowboard cross athletes as the season's benchmark.
Competing in only his second World Cup event, NSW Institute of Sport athlete Cameron Bolton finished in 41st place after making the finals and impressing onlookers with the 16th fastest time in qualifying.
US Grand Prix Snowboard Cross event
Following the Blue Mountain World Cup, a number of Australian snowboard cross athletes travelled to the USA for the US Grand Prix event in the Canyons, Utah.
AIS snowboarder Alex "Chumpy" Pullin was the number one ranked athlete after qualifying,but an ankle injury suffered in practise unfortunatly kept Alex from competing in the final, he finished in 17th place as a result of his qualification rank.
16-year-old NSW snowboarder Jarryd Hughes impressed in a strong field to record his second straight Nor-Am bronze medal, with other Australian performances including NSWIS athlete Cameron Bolton in 12th, Daniel Morrissy 24th, Bryan Taylor 30th and Gregory Whitehead 53rd. In the women's event Belle Brockhoff was 13th.
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