Category: Holly Crawford

Women’s halfpipe a hit among Aussies

12/2/2018

Australia’s female snowboard halfpipe riders are ready to bring their all to the PyeongChang Olympics qualification round on Day 3 of the 2018 Games.Debutant Emily Arthur said three solid days of training at the Phoenix Snow Park venue had put her and teammate Holly Crawford in good stead for the competition.
“I’ve never had three days of training before an event and it was really nice (because) the first day we could just get used to the pipe and the next two we did our tricks,” she said.
“It’s been a really good lead up and I think it’s going to be a really good event tomorrow.”
Both women will compete in the snowboard women’s halfpipe qualification round from 1.30pm local time (3.30pm AEST).
They’ll compete in a field of 24, including World Cup overall leader Chloe Kim (US), and 2014 Sochi Olympic bronze medallist Kelly Clark (US).
Yet her competitors do not intimidate Arthur. At the Olympic Test Event in PyeongChang in February 2017, Arthur finished 10th, while Crawford placed 13th. More recently Arthur claimed sixth at the Secret Garden World Cup in China in December.
“It’s really similar to how the pipe was last year so hopefully we can replicate if not do better on last year’s results,” Arthur said.
“It’s the best pipe I’ve ever ridden and I’ve ridden a lot of pipes.
"It was weird going into it because…I’ve literally never ridden a pipe that’s so perfect so it’s going to be great.”
One slight difference is the length of the pipe – at 265m it is longer than many other pipes giving athletes an added opportunity to throw tricks and secure more points from the judges.
Arthur said she had figured out the timing of her hits and was looking forward to a fierce competition from tomorrow.
“I’ve figured it out… The amplitude is good, I’ve been able to spread out my tricks and I think it’s all turned out fine,” she said.
“I try not to watch too much but I watch my friends and my friends are all riding really well.
“Girls’ snowboarding has come a really long way in the past four years and I think it’s going to be a really good show tomorrow.
“We’re all going to be throwing down and it’s going to be a bit of a battle but it’s going to be good.”
The women’s qualification round will be held at 1.30pm local time on Day 3 (February 12) and the men kick off on Day 4 (February 13).
Candice Keller
olympics.com.au

World Class pipe welcomes Aussie riders

10/2/2018

"We've all made it" - Kent Callister: Instagram February 9.

PyeongChang has produced the ‘best halfpipe ever built’ according to Australian riders.After today’s first training run at the Phoenix Snow Park, the Australian team of five were incredibly pumped with the pipe.

“This halfpipe is amazing, I think this is the best pipe ever built so the level of riding will go through the roof,” Kent Callister said.

“It should be the best contest to happen yet.”

The 22-year-old said it was great to get out on the snow after arriving in South Korea several days ago, and that the atmosphere among the Australian Team was relaxed, but excited.

“The Team’s great, the vibe’s great. Everyone’s just having fun messing around, cheering each other on.”

Team veteran Holly Crawford agreed that the pipe was fantastic.

“If anyone does complain, I’m not sure how they can make it better,” she said.

Crawford, who will make her fourth Winter Olympic appearance in PyeongChang, said she had a less conventional lead up to the 2018 Games than most athletes.

“I opted for a couple of weeks at home getting a tan instead of injuring myself as I have in the past so the tan’s keeping me nice and tight,” she said.

“It’s been a really good day of training and hopefully the next couple of days will be better and the sun will come out a bit more.”

For Australian flagbearer Scotty James, it was a welcome return to the South Korean snow.

After winning last year’s Olympic test event (the 2016/17 World Cup closer) in PyeongChang with a score of 96.00, the 23-year-old is eager to replicate the result.

“This is a pretty awesome halfpipe, straight as an arrow – the sides are really straight and good transitions.

“(The pipe) was everything and more that we all expected. Last year we had an awesome time here… I’ve always had a really good time here in Korea, I can’t wait to get back in the next days and get into competition.”

Women’s snowboard halfpipe qualifications will be held on Day 3 (February 12) and men’s qualifications are on Day 4 (February 13) along with women’s finals.

Candice Keller
olympics.com.au

Holly Crawford touches down for fourth Olympics

7/2/2018

Holly Crawford arrives for her fourth Olympics. Photo: David Barden

Three-time Olympian Holly Crawford touched down in Korea on Tuesday for what is set to be her fourth Winter Games appearance at PyeongChang 2018.

The 33-year-old Snowboard Halfpipe rider, who already has one gold and two silver World Championship medals under her belt, recently finished seventh at the final pre-Games Halfpipe World Cup in Laax, Switzerland.

After competing under an injury cloud at the Sochi 2014 Olympic Winter Games, Crawford joked upon arrival that heading into PyeongChang she was “thankfully uninjured for the first time in a few years”.

“[I’m] obviously hoping to make the finals but it is what it is and you never know what the outcome is going to be,” she said.

“The pipe actually up there was really good, we were really pleased with that they put up for the test event. They managed it quite well so hopefully they put it on again.”

A seasoned snowboarder, Crawford said that she’s not feeling the nerves heading into the upcoming Games.
“It is what it is,” she said.

“We all compete all year round against the same people.”

Arriving shortly after was fellow teammate and Sochi Olympian Nate Johnstone who also finished within the top ten at the Laax World Cup.

“I’ve been in Japan doing some training and hanging out with my dad for the last week so it’s been really nice and I’m looking forward to it. I’m stoked to be here,” the 27-year-old said.

“I’ve got pretty much the whole family coming this time around so it’s going to be exciting to see them all there.

“Now I’ve got new family because me and my wife have married so her dad, mum and brother are all coming over so it’s going to be the full clan over here for this one – it’s going to be fun!”

Snowboard halfpipe will be held at the Bokwang Snow Park with women's qualifications on Day 3 (February 12) and finals the folowing day. The men’s qualifications runs are on Day 4 (February 13) and the finals on Day 5 (February 14). Find out more about snowboarding at PyeongChang HERE.

David Barden
olympics.com.au

Experienced Snowboard Halfpipe Team named for PyeongChang

25/1/2018

SNOWBOARD HALFPIPE: With seven previous Olympic Games and 22 World Cup and World Championship medals between them, the five athletes selected to represent Australia in snowboard halfpipe at PyeongChang 2018 know what it takes to be the best.

Triple Olympian Holly Crawford will compete at her fourth Games, looking to improve upon her best Olympic result of eighth at Vancouver 2010.

The 33-year-old has one gold and two silver World Championship medals under her belt and recently finished 10th at the 2017 World Championships in Sierra Nevada.

"After a long and bumpy road I am mostly relieved to have officially made the 2018 Olympic Team," Crawford said.

"It is less the Olympic Games itself and more the journey to get there that shapes an athlete. By the time you’re at the Olympics most of the hard work is already done and you just have to let yourself do what you’ve trained to do.

"I am very proud to have been able to represent Australia at the previous three Olympics and every four years I am prouder than the last!"

She will be joined by two-time World Champion and Crystal Globe winner Scotty James.

With two 21st place halfpipe finishes from Vancouver and Sochi, plus a 16th place in snowboard slopestyle from 2010, James said his previous Olympic experiences have made him better prepared for his third Games.

“Having been to two Games and with the benefit of many more international competitions under my belt, I now understand what I have to do to achieve my goals,” the 23-year-old said.

“For me, representing my country in the Olympic Winter Team is the greatest honour that I have ever achieved. I really feed off the support that we give each other as Aussie Team members and the support that we receive from all over Australia.”

Sochi Olympians Kent Callister (22) and Nathan Johnstone (27) will return to the Team for their second Olympic experience.

Callister was the surprise packed of Sochi 2014, finishing ninth as the top ranked Australian in a star-studded field. Johnstone wasn’t too far behind, missing the final by one place to finish 13th on debut.

“I’m very excited to be heading to my second Olympic Games,” Callister said.

“I had a blast riding in Sochi so I’m looking forward to the whole Olympic experience at PyeongChang. I feel very grateful to be going to the Olympics again so I’m going to soak it all in.”

The only debutant in the halfpipe team, Emily Arthur, has also had her fair share of international experience.

The 18-year-old won halfpipe silver at the Lillehammer 2016 Youth Olympic Winter Games and placed 15th in snowboard slopestyle.

She recorded a career-best result at the 2017 Secret Garden World Cup in December, qualifying for her first final and finishing in sixth place. She heads into her debut Games with a world ranking of 13th.

“Being selected is the most insane moment of my life!” Arthur said.

“I've wanted to go to the Olympics for as long as I can remember, it's always been in the back of my mind growing up that maybe one day I could go, and I can't believe it’s now a reality.”

Arthur said it will be a dream come true to make her Olympic debut alongside athletes she has admired for years.

“I look up to the older girls on the Australian Team so much, they have really taken me in and been so amazing to me! They are the girls I looked up to when I was young and still do, I know they are going to look after me and definitely make the experience so fun.”

Crawford's advice to all the rookies on the Team is to "be proud and confident in the work they've put in."

"Trust in your ability, we all train and compete all year round and your body knows what it is doing so just let it. Most of all enjoy the ride and take it all in, you’ve earned it!"

Snowboard halfpipe will be held at the Bokwang Snow Park with qualifications on Day 4 (February13). The men’s final is on Day 5 (February 14) and the women’s final is on Day 11 (February 20). Find out more about snowboarding at PyeongChang HERE.

The team of Mitchell Allen, Andrew Burton, Ben Mates, Torah Bright and Holly Crawford made Australia’s snowboard halfpipe Olympic debut at Torino 2006. Bright has won Australia’s two snowboard halfpipe Olympic medals, with gold at Vancouver 2010 and silver at Sochi 2014. Find out more about Australia’s Olympic snowboard history HERE.

Georgia Thompson
olympics.com.au

Top tens for Crawford, Bright and Johnstone in Laax

21/1/2018

Nathan Johnstone rides during a training session for the FIS Freestyle World Cup 2016/17 Snowboard Halfpipe at Bokwang Snow Park. © Getty Images

Australia's Holly Crawford and Nate Johnstone have finished seventh and tenth in the final Halfpipe World Cup prior to PyeongChang 2018.

Competing in Laax, Switzerland, Crawford put down a best score of 46.50 on her second of two runs in the 8-woman final.

Crawford's teammate and fellow three-time Olympian Torah Bright progressed through to the final earlier in the week but did not start leaving her in eighth place overall.

China dominated the competition with Jiayu Lu claiming top spot with a score of 96.25, beating compatriot Xuetong Cai and Spaniard Queralt Castellet.

In the men's event Johnstone put down a best run of 46.00 to end the event in tenth as he builds towards competing at his second Olympic Games in PyeongChang.

Sochi 2014 gold medallist Iouri Podladtchikov impressed on home soil taking out the victory with a score 90.50 ahead of Yuto Totsuka of Japan and China's Yiwei Zhang.

The event did not feature a number of highly ranked athletes from the USA who had their final selection event at Mammoth Moutain in Colorado.

Matt Bartolo
olympics.com.au

Last PyeongChang qualifier for Aussie Halfpipe riders

17/1/2018

Some of Australia’s top snowboarders will drop into the halfpipe in Laax, Switzerland in this year’s second World Cup and final PyeongChang qualifier.

Among those competing at the Swiss resort include Holly Crawford, Torah Bright and Sochi Olympian Nate Johnstone, who is hoping for “redemption” after Snowmass “didn’t go to plan for me at all”.

Johnstone finished in 36th place with a best score of 19.00 last week, missing out on Saturday’s 10-man final after he “couldn’t manage to put one [run] down in either of my competition runs”.

“I just want to put down a solid run and build on that through the event,” he said.

“Training has been good, we had a great first day of training but the snow has rolled in hard and put a handbrake on the event for the time being.”

Crawford, Bright and Emily Arthur finished within the top 15 of last week’s Halfpipe World Cup but were unable to secure spots in the eight-woman finals.

Crawford, a three-time Olympian, finished in 14th place with a best score of 56.75 while Torah Bright wasn’t far behind, placing 15th with a best score of 55.75.

Bright, who like Crawford is hoping to compete in her fourth Winter Olympics, recently stepped up to the podium twice during the North-American Cup circuit in December after making a stunning return to the Snowboard Halfpipe competition.

Arthur, who competed in Snowmass after securing her best ever World Cup result at China’s Secret Garden in December, finished in 12th place with a best score of 60.25.

With PyeongChang looming, the 18-year-old has elected to remain at her “home mountain” of Mammoth, California while she tests some new tricks on airbags.

“It really helps with fear, because you literally have nothing to lose when you try a trick, so it definitely helps me get tricks much quicker,” she said.

“My coach and I thought it would be good to compete here and get some extra training in and not worry about travelling so close to the Olympics.”

Fellow Halfpipe riders Kent Callister and Scotty James will also remain in the U.S. and compete alongside Arthur at the Mammoth Grand Prix in California.

In last week’s World Cup final, described by commentators as the “most impressive event in the history of snowboarding”, James claimed silver with a best score of 96.25.

“Australia, more now than ever in my career, I can really feel the energy and the camaraderie coming from them and I really appreciate it,” the 23-year-old said following the event.

With snow showers and low visibility on the forecast for Laax, Wednesday’s qualification runs were put on hold with event organisers hoping that a window will open on Thursday for combined qualifiers and semi-finals.

“But with more snow on the forecast, we’ll see what tomorrow brings,” Johnstone said.

“Otherwise, everything is good and it’s great being back in Laax!”

For live updates from Laax click HERE or follow OWIA on Twitter HERE and Facebook HERE.

David Barden
OWIA

Aussie Snowboard Halfpipe riders finish in top 15 at Snowmass

12/1/2018

Australia’s top female snowboarders have finished within the top 15 of the Halfpipe World Cup following Thursday’s qualification runs at Snowmass, Colorado.

However, with only the top eight making it through to finals, Emily Arthur, Torah Bright and Holly Crawford will not be competing on Saturday and will instead turn their focus to the next competition.

Arthur, who came to Colorado after securing her best ever World Cup result at China’s Secret Garden in December, finished 12th today with a best score of 60.25.

“I was very happy [with] how I performed considering how awful my practice was,” the 18-year-old said.

“I was able to somewhat pull something out when it counted and I’m very happy about that! The pipe and the atmosphere was really fun, I was back with all my American friends which definitely upped the vibes.”

Fellow Aussie and three-time Olympian Holly Crawford finished in 14th place with a best score of 56.75 while Torah Bright wasn’t far behind, placing 15th with a best score of 55.75.

Bright, who like Crawford is hoping to compete in her fourth Winter Olympics, recently stepped up to the podium twice during the North-American Cup circuit in December after making a stunning return to the Snowboard Halfpipe competition.

The last chance for Australia’s Halfpipe riders to secure crucial qualification spots for the PyeongChang Games will be at the next World Cup in Laax, Switzerland from the 17 – 20 January.

Arthur, however, will not be competing in Switzerland, instead opting to stay at her “home mountain” in Mammoth, California to compete in the Mammoth Grand Prix and spend time testing out new tricks prior to the Winter Games.

“My coach and I thought it would be good to compete there and get some extra training in and not worry about travelling so close to the Olympics,” she said.

As for the men, 2017 World Champion Scotty James qualified for the 10-man Halfpipe final on Saturday after placing second in his qualification heat with a score of 88.75.

Unfortunately James’ fellow Aussies Kent Callister and Nate Johnstone did not qualify for the finals, with Callister placing 19th following a best run score of 59.25 and Johnstone 36th with 19.00.

The halfpipe finals will be broadcast live on Eurosport from 7am AEDT on Sunday morning. For live results click HERE or follow OWIA on Twitter HERE or Facebook HERE.

David Barden
OWIA

James on track for world title repeat

11/3/2017

Scotty James in qualifying

Scotty James has qualified in first position for the men’s halfpipe final at the 2017 FIS Freestyle Ski and Snowboard World Championships.

The two-time Olympian and reigning world champion executed two solid runs in Friday’s qualifying, scoring 80.25 points in his first attempt before stepping it up in the second to score 92.25 points.

“Had to go up,” James said of his scores.

“Taking into consideration I’m doing four hits I need to do four tricks and I think that’s what the judges wanted so I put that in my second run and ended up getting 92,” he said.

Spain’s warm conditions haven't deterred the 22-year-old from putting on a show.

“You can do all the tricks you want in there and that’s my plan for tomorrow night for the finals. It's going to be a good show,” he said.

“The pipe is in great shape. It's just when it gets a bit warm like this that the walls start to fade a little so you just need to be a little lighter on your toes when it heats up.”

Sochi Olympian Kent Callister was close to qualifying for the 10-strong men's final but settled for 11th after he was unable to beat his first run score of 72.75.

After receiving 68.50 points for his first run, 2013 World Champion Nate Johnstone could not complete a superior run in his second attempt and he finished in 14th.

In the women's event, former World Champion and Olympian Holly Crawford finished 10th with a strong second run score of 78.25 points. Crawford was unlucky not to qualify for the final with only the top six progressing in the women's event.

Youth Olympic Games representative Emily Arthur put down two consistent runs in the women’s event, scoring 61.75 points in the first and 51.75 points in the second to finish 17th overall.

Halfpipe finals will be held under lights on Saturday. Final events will be lived streamed at: https://www.skiandsnowboard.org.au/2017-snowboard--freestyle-world-champs/

Scotty James wins Olympic Test Event and Halfpipe World Cup series crown

20/2/2017

Scotty James has put down “the run of his life” to win gold at the Phoenix PyeongChang Snowboard Halfpipe World Cup.

His third and final run in today’s competition not only secured James the individual World Cup victory, but he takes home the overall 2016/2017 Snowboard Halfpipe World Cup series crown.

In an Australian first, Scotty James is the current World Cup, World Championship and X Games champion. He wears three of the four major world snowboard halfpipe crowns, the fourth being Olympic glory.

“I am absolutely over the moon!” James said.

“I knew what I had to do to come away with a win today and I just had to let the rest do the talking.

“To come away on top is just an amazing feeling.”

The two-time VIS Olympian qualified for the final in fifth place. After a shaky start, only scoring 24.75 points in the first run of the final, James returned to his exceptional form to score 92.25 in the second run, before his series winning 96-point performance.

“The first one was just trying to get the jitters out,” the 22-year-old said.

“I unfortunately came unstuck, but was able to put the next two down and probably the run of my life on the last one.

“I knew I had to mix it up to come away with a win today, especially with a field like there is here.”

To claim the win, James had to defeat legendary American snowboarder Shaun White.

White is a two-time Olympic gold medallist, and winner of 24 winter and summer X Games medals in
snowboarding and skateboarding.

Winner of the Mammoth World Cup last weekend, White threatened James’ victory today, finishing second overall, a mere one point behind James with a score of 95. China’s Yiwei Zhang won bronze with 93.25.

James entered the final World Cup event sitting in second place on the overall leader board with 1700 points, trailing American Chase Josey by 260 points.

His victory at Bokwang Snow Park scored him 1000 points towards the discipline world standings and he claimed the overall series with 2700 points.

Josey finished second overall with 2360 points and White won bronze with 1930 points.

James is having the season he’s always hoped for.

After finishing in the top 10 for all World Cup events this season - including winning silver in Laax in January – the 2015 World Champion won gold in the men’s SuperPipe at the 2017 Aspen X Games on Australia Day.

“I am in a really good place at the moment on my board and off my board – life is really good.

“I’ve made big changes in my off-season and my pre-season. I started to take myself a little bit more seriously and approach it with a different attitude, and I will continue to do that.”

To further sweeten today’s glory, his win comes at the Test Event for the 2018 Winter Olympic Games.

According to James the pipe itself is exceptional, as is the atmosphere in PyeongChang.

“It has been an amazing week here in Korea – they have put on an amazing event for us.

“I absolutely love South Korea. The people here have been awesome, everyone loves snowboarding and is very supportive and helpful.

“And then the halfpipe obviously - they really turned that up for us.

“They’ve put on a really good pipe and I’m sure it’s going to be exactly the same next year, so I think we can expect another really fierce competition in a year’s time.”

Teammate Kent Callister also qualified for today’s 10-man final, finishing in eighth place; while Nate Johnstone finished 31st.

In the women’s competition, 2016 Youth Olympian Emily Arthur had her first top-10 finish for the season, placing 10th with a run of 72.25. Triple Olympian Holly Crawford placed 13th and is now heading to Sapporo to represent Australia at the Asian Winter Games.

Although the World Cup season has come to an end, it is not the end of the Northern Hemisphere winter season for our snowboarders. James will now fly back to the US for the next American Cup, before defending his World Championship title in Sierra Nevada, Spain in March.

And he cannot wait for more to come.

“I’m in a really good place now, but I’ve still got a bit of a fire under my butt!

“I still want to keep on pushing and I’ve got stuff to work on to keep solidifying my place on top of the podium.

“I’ve now got a bit of a target on my back, but I like this position and I will keep working hard to make sure I can stay on top.”

Georgia Thompson
olympics.com.au

IMAGE: Halfpipe World Cup podium with (ltr) 2nd Shaun White (USA), 1st Scotty James (AUS) and 3rd Yiwei Zhang (CHN) in Bokwang Phoenix Park. Photo: Mateusz Kielpinski

Strong showing by Australia in the weather affected Mammoth Mountain Grand Prix

6/2/2017

Weather has played havoc at the US Snowboard and Freeskiing Grand Prix event in Mammoth Mountain, CA, USA, with events shortened or cancelled completely.

The US Grand Prix also doubles as a FIS World Cup event counting towards Olympic qualification. Unfortunately, wild weather featuring high winds and snow forced the cancellation of the men’s Slopestyle Skiing event which was to feature Russ Henshaw and Ryley Lucas. The extremely heavy conditions led to the men’s Snowboard Halfpipe and Slopestyle qualification rounds to be abandoned.

In total, four top ten performances where achieved by the Australian athletes across three different disciplines.

The highlight of the event was 16-year-old NSWIS Snowboarder Tess Coady placing sixth in the slopestyle final in her first ever World Cup. Jess Rich was unable to advance to the eight woman final, finishing in 21st place.

VIS 2017 X-Games Gold Medallist Scotty James was the leading Australian male in the men’s Snowboard Halfpipe, finishing in sixth place. NSWIS riders Kent Callister and Nathan Johnstone also had good runs in the difficult conditions placing eighth and eleventh respectively.

In the women’s Snowboard Halfpipe, Holly Crawford made a positive start to her first event of the season finishing in eighth place, just missing advancing to the final by two places. Emily Arthur was also in action with a 14th place qualification performance.

The Snowboard Halfpipe athletes now head to PyeongChang, Korea, for the Olympic Test Event World Cup, with the Slopestyle Snowboarders and Skiers off to World Cup events in Quebec City, Canada.

IMAGE: Tess Coady in nicer weather conditions at Mammoth at the start of the week! © Tess Coady Instagram

Scotty James keeps racking up the accolades

2/2/2017

X Games Gold medalist Scotty James.

After becoming one of the nation’s youngest ever Winter Olympians in 2010, James competed at his second Games in 2014 and went on to become World Champion in 2015.

It wasn’t much of a surprise then when he went out and backed up his World Cup silver to start 2017 with X Games gold last weekend in Aspen.

“It was overwhelming,” James said.

“I had so much support from Australia as well as the US on the back of the event. It was quite special having some of the family at the bottom there watching too.”

The young gun will now look to continue that hot form when he hits the pipe at the Mammoth Mountain World Cup event in California this weekend.

“I am feeling great on my board and the past couple of competitions have been a result of my preparation for this year. It's been an awesome ride so far and looking forward to more.

“I have come down with a bit of a cold post X Games but I have been up riding the practice days. I really love Mammoth and the pipe here and am excited for this week.”

James will be joined by rising star and 2016 Winter Youth Olympic silver medallist Emily Arthur and three-time Olympian Holly Crawford.

Arthur recently finished 19th at the opening World Cup event of the season in Copper Mountain and will be looking to push her way up the rankings.

“It's been super fun being out in Mammoth and the pipe is insanely good,” said Arthur.

“It’s also nice as I have been based here this season so it's kind of like being on my home turf.”

“It's such a stacked field out here I'm just planning to go out, land some runs and have fun. Hopefully it will pay off.”

Like many of her Australian counterparts Arthur was stoked to see one of her teammates rise to the top of the sport.

“Scotty has been killing the game and it's so rad to see, it's kept Australia frothing and me too for sure.

“Hopefully some of his success rubs off on us.”

For Crawford the event will be a chance to get back on the snow as she competes at her first FIS event in just under 12 months as she looks to push towards a fourth Olympic appearance in PyeongChang.

“I’ve only been back on my board for a little over a week since early March last year so I’m just hoping to get back into the swing of things and hopefully come out with a good result,” Crawford said.

“The pipe has been really good here and practice has gone well. Unfortunately there is some bad weather coming in so fingers crossed it holds off.”

James seventh in US Open Snowboard Final

7/3/2016

OWIA/Victorian Institute of Sport (VIS) supported Park & Pipe athlete Scotty James has finished in seventh place in the US Open Snowboard Halfpipe event in Vail, CO, USA.

James was impressive in Qualifying, moving through to the Final in sixth place in a strong field featuring many of the world’s best snowboarders.

In the finals, James was on track to post a big score on his first run but unfortunately fell on his last hit. James posted his highest score on his third and final run, to finish ranked seventh.

The event was won by two-time Olympic Gold Medalist Shaun White of the USA, with Ben Ferguson, also of the USA in second and Japanese rider Taku Hiraoka in third.

OWIA/NSWIS athlete Holly Crawford also competed, finishing in 16th place in the women’s Qualifying round.

The Women’s evet was won by American teenage sensation Chloe Kim, with Cai Xuetong of China in second and Kelly Clark of the USA in third.

IMAGE: Scotty James boosting out of the Vail Halfpipe © Scotty James Instagram

Callister and Crawford finish inside top ten in Sapporo

15/2/2016

Olympic Winter Institute of Australia (OWIA) athlete Kent Callister has finished sixth in the Snowboard Halfpipe World Cup event in Sapporo, Japan.

Callister finished with a best score of 85.25 in the Final, which he scored on his second run.

Teammate Nate Johnstone, after also qualifying for the ten man final, finished tenth, after falling in each of his three runs.

Scotty James finished 24th in qualifying, after falling in both his qualifying runs.

In the Women's Halfpipe, Holly Crawford just missed out on a spot in the Final after finishing eighth, with only the top six progressing to the final.

Crawford fell just 7.75 points short of qualifying for the final.

OWIA Sport Programs Update - Park & Pipe

7/10/2015

Torah Bright, Holly Crawford, Russ Henshaw, Scotty James and Nathan Johnstone trained predominantly in NSW at Perisher and Thredbo resorts during the Australian season.

World Cup events took place at Cardrona in New Zealand during August for Slopestyle and Halfpipe.

Australia’s leading performance in New Zealand came from Nathan Johnstone, who place seventh in the Snowboard Halfpipe event. Russell Henshaw placed 35th in Ski Slopestyle.

Other notable top-10 results in New Zealand came from NSWIS athletes Jess Rich who was seventh in Snowboard Slopestyle and Emily Arthur who placed ninth in Snowboard Halfpipe.

Kent Callister is currently in New Zealand training taking part in on snow training.

Callister wins first World Cup medal

2/3/2015

Australian teenager Kent Callister won his first World Cup medal when he finished third in the snowboard halfpipe event in Park City, USA.

The podium finish is the season’s highpoint achievement for Callister, who ends his World Cup commitments with a world ranking of four and results that support the promise he has shown since his World Cup debut at the age of 16.

Callister delivered an experienced performance, which almost contradicted the fact that today’s event was just his seventh World Cup in an accelerating career.

By finishing on the podium along with event winner Yiwei Zang from China and American Taylor Gold, Callister has added to the steady stream of medals won by Australians in World Cup and the World Championships this season.

Callister stamped his claim for a place on the podium in the qualification session last Thursday when he posted the second best score in his heat.

His qualification score of 87.50 earned him a berth in the 10-man final.

Callister, 19, said that he was “super happy” with the result and went in to the event with a degree of confidence that a medal was within reach.

“I thought the run in the final was great,” he said.

“I definitely thought there was potential for me to get on the podium but I suppose I wasn’t really expecting it.”

Being his first World Cup medal and having his dad, Brett Callister, who arrived at the venue just one hour before the start of the final, in the crowd made the result even more special for the Olympic Winter Institute of Australia/NSW Institute of Sport athlete.

“It was a super good contest and I was riding really well,” Callister said. “I had a lot of fun.

“It was probably the best run I’ve ever done.

“I put in a few tricks that I’ve been working on over the past couple of months.”

One of the additions to his repertoire is a front-side double cork 1080 and today was the first time he has landed one in competition.

Callister scored a 88.50 in the final with a double crippler, a back-side 900, a front-side 1080, a double cork 1080 and finished with a front-side double cork 1080.

Callister has ramped up the level of difficulty of his tricks this season in a quest to become more a threat at major events.

“I don’t think I would have been able to get on the podium today without that last trick,” Callister admitted.

Callister has experience significant improvement over the last two seasons but is certainly not resting on his laurels.

His improvement has drawn attention from many in the halfpipe fraternity, resulting in berths in two upcoming invitations only events, including the prestigious US Open in Vail next week.

Nate Johnstone and Holly Crawford finished in 11th and eighth respectively, narrowly missing the finals while Matthew Cox was 29th and Emily Arthur was 21st.

Slopestyle Ski & Snowboard: 13th place for Mullins in Park City
Also competing in Park City for Australia where a number of slopestyle ski and snowboard athletes.

OWIA/NSWIS and 2015 World Championship medallist Russ Henshaw had a difficult day in the men's skiing slopestyle qualifying, finishing in 26th place.

Competing in her second World Cup start, 16-year-old NSWIS athlete Mahalah Mullins recorded a 13th place performance in the women's snowboard slopestyle event.

IMAGE: Kent Callister (right) on the podium in Park City © Kent Callister

Crawford fourth in European Open

2/2/2015

OWIA/NSWIS supported athlete Holly Crawford has recorded her best event of the 2014/2015 season, narrowly missing the podium by one place at the European Open in Laax, Switzerland.

Crawford qualified for the final in sixth place, and improved in the final to finish the event ranked fourth.

The women's event was won by American Kelly Clark, with Chloe Kim also from the USA in second and Swiss rider Nadja Purtschert in third.

Also in action for Australia competing in the men's event was OWIA/VIS athlete Scotty James in 12th and OWIA/NSWIS athlete Nathan Johnstone in 29th.

IMAGE: Holly Crawford boosting out of the Laax Halfpipe © Burton

Scotty James World Champion!

18/1/2015

Snowboard halfpipe rider Scotty James claimed Australia’s second gold medal in the FIS Ski and Snowboard World Championships in Kreischberg, Austria, this morning (Australian time).

The 20-year-old Olympic Winter Institute/Victorian Institute of Sport athlete secured his first major title ahead of China’s silver medallist Zhang Yiwei and Slovakian Tim-Kevin Ravnjak.

In a day heralding a new beginning for Australian men’s halfpipe, 19-year-old fellow OWIA/NSWIS rider Kent Callister also finished impressively in sixth place in the 10-man Championships final after winning his qualification heat yesterday.

James’ gold medal comes 48 hours after aerial skier Laura Peel provide the perfect start to these Championships by leaving Kreischberg with her first major title win.

With wins to James and Peel, Australia has won two of the six gold medals awarded so far.

Right from the start of the halfpipe competition, James asserted his dominance over the strong field, and like Callister, he also won his heat to advance to the final.

And in the final, James immediately declared his intentions by putting down a highly impressive performance in his first run of the day.

It was this run of 91.50 points that the rest of the field were unable to equal. The next best were Zhang on 89.50 and Ravnjak on 89.25.

James said that the win “means the world to me” and was especially pleased to share the experience with his brother Tim, who was pipe-side to see his younger sibling secure gold.

“It’s been such a crazy journey the last couple of years and I’m absolutely over the moon right now,” he said.

“It feels like it has been a long time coming but today I guess it all worked out for me.

“I’m really happy right now and to do it for Australia is even better.”

It’s a journey that started 17 years ago when James’ father Phil brought home a surprise for his then three-year-old son, a novelty display $10 snowboard.

James admits that the surprise was a “bit of a joke at the time” which has since evolved into serious business for the talented Australian.

At the age of three, the now 185cm tall athlete was too small for a conventional snowboard but when Phil saw the display snowboard, which was being used as a doorstop by a retailer, he had no idea that it would lead to a world championship title for his son.

“It all started when I was three when Dad bought me a little board which was actually a doorstop in a snow shop. It was like $10 and that is when it all started and I haven’t stopped since,” James recalled.

“I remember when he came home that night he said: ‘I’ve got a little surprise for you’.

“I used that for a couple of years and onwards from there.

“I have an awesome crew around me and my family have been amazing.”

Today’s huge win is a clear sign of the transformation of James who, at the age of 15, was the youngest male athlete at the 2010 Vancouver Olympic Winter Games.

“A while ago I was told I can stay where I am or put in the work and get some podiums.

“That has been my mentality this year and last year. The biggest thing is that I have grown up a lot. I’m a bit older and mature, making better decisions.

“My hunger to win big competitions has been a big part of it too.

“I’d like to say this is the start of a new journey for me. I like the feeling that I have right now. I’m going to fight for it every day and let my results do the talking.”

James' good friend and mentor, two-time Olympic medallist, Torah Bright, finished in 6th place after qualifying in third while World Championships debutant Emily Arthur did well to finish 16th. Holly Crawford was 21st.

The women’s title went to China’s Cai Xuetong, the silver was won by Spain’s Querait Castellet and Frenchwoman Clemence Grimal was third.

The other Australian, Nate Johnstone, was 12th.

The spotlight switches to moguls skiing tonight (Australian time) with the qualification session followed by the finals tomorrow.

RESULTS
Women’s snowboard halfpipe World Championships, Kreischberg, Austria
1. Cai Xuetong (CHN), 2. Querait Castellet (SPA), 3. Clemence Grimal (FRA), 4. Hikaru Oe(JPN), 5. Sophie Rodriguez (FRA), 6. Torah Bright (AUS), 16. Emily Arthur (AUS), 21. Holly Crawford (AUS).

Men’s snowboard halfpipe, World Championships, Kreischberg, Austria
1. Scotty James (AUS), 2. Zhang Yiwei (CHN), 3. Tim-Kevin Ravnjak (SLO), 4. Iouri Podladtchikov (SUI), 5. Taku Hiraoka (JPN), 6. Kent Callister (AUS), 12. Nate Johnstone (AUS).

Silver for Bright in epic Halfpipe final

13/2/2014

Silver medalist Torah Bright of Australia celebrates during the flower ceremony for the Snowboard Women's Halfpipe Finals on day five of the Sochi 2014 Winter Olympics at Rosa Khutor Extreme Park on February 12, 2014 in Sochi, Russia.© Cameron Spencer/Getty Images

Torah Bright has produced a sensational final run in the women’s Halfpipe final to clinch silver – Australia’s first medal at the Sochi 2014 Olympic Winter Games. “It was perhaps one of the hardest events I’ve ridden in, in a long time. It was just really challenging,” Bright said.

“I’m just so happy the night’s over really and that I was able to put down a run.”

The Vancouver 2010 champion was just 0.25 points behind American Kaitlyn Farrington who scored 91.75 with her second run. The bronze went to Torino 2002 champion and pre-event favourite Kelly Clark (USA) who nailed the last run of the competition (90.75) after falling heavily on her first run.

The standard was phenomenal and the tension was high at Extreme Park. American Hannah Teter was fourth with 90.50 after leading the 12-woman final from her 1st run.

Bright, 27, increased her degree of difficulty from qualification and held nothing back. On Run 1 she fell, missing her landing on a frontside 540 but she headed back up the hill and did the job second time round.

“After the first run I was like ‘really? I did this again to my family and my friends watching, I put them through the wringer again, why?’” Bright said, referring to her similar ride at the Olympics four years ago.

The incredible performance follows Bright’s seventh in the Slopestyle final three days ago. In four days she will race the Snowboard Cross, showing she is the most versatile and talented snowboarder at the Games.

“I don’t care about the colour of the medal. Life isn’t about winning it’s about putting your best foot forward and sharing your light.”

Born in Cooma, NSW, Bright is coached by her brother Ben, who has also been and emotional help for her, since her divorce from fellow snowboarder Jake Welch.

“I’ve got to give a shout out to Benny, especially this past year, he’s been an incredible support to me. He has given so much to me. I love him, he’s my brother, but he’s a dear friend.”

She went on to dedicate the silver medal to her biggest fans.

“It’s for my family, it’s for my brother, it’s for everybody who takes joy from what I do.”

Bright’s medal follows her gold at Vancouver 2010 and it now takes Australia’s total Olympic Winter tally to 10.

Before tonight in Sochi, Australian athletes had achieved five top-10 performances and are now on the medal tally for the sixth consecutive Winter Games.

Other Aussies that featured in the Snowboard Halfpipe event included Stephanie Magiros who finished 18th after making the semi-final, Hannah Trigger (20th) and Holly Crawford (26th).

Andrew Reid / Emily Groves | sochi2014.olympics.com.au

James makes an impact

22/12/2013

Young gun Scotty James has capped off an impressive snowboard halfpipe World Cup at Copper Mountain with a sixth place.

Nineteen-year-old James, who was the youngest male athlete among all nations competing at the 2010 Vancouver Olympic Winter Games, rode maturely in today’s 16-man final to finish in a stronger position than a number of more highly ranked athletes.

American’s monopolised the podium with Taylor Gold, Gregory Bretz and Ben Ferguson finishing 1-2-3.

AIS / NSWIS athletes Kent Callister and Nate Johnstone were 37th and 38th.

In the women's event Australia's female Snowboard Halfpipe contenders had a tough day in the pipe, finishing in a cluster at the bottom of the qualifying standings: Amber Arazny (30th), Hannah Trigger (31st), Stephanie Magiros (36th), Alex Fitch (38th) and Holly Crawford (41st).

Snowboard Halfpipe international season preparation update

9/10/2013

In June, the AIS Snowboard Halfpipe Team attended a training camp at Mt Bachelor, Oregon USA with a focus on big tricks in soft conditions.

During August, the AIS Snowboard Halfpipe Program headed to New Zealand to train for three weeks at Cardrona and Snow Park. With the shortage of a world class halfpipe facility in Australia, it was essential that the athletes be based in New Zealand to train effectively.

Whilst in New Zealand, the team competed in the opening World Cup of the season at the Cardrona Resort. Holly Crawford and Nathan Johnstone launched their seasons with positive performances, both finishing in seventh place. In a promising sign for the future Kent Callister finished in 16th place after qualifying in equal sixth place, and Scott James finished in an equal career best sixth place.

A major focus for the athletes has been a comprehensive strength and conditioning training program in Sydney. John Marsden, OWIA Strength and Conditioning coach, attended the AIS Snowboard Program camp in New Zealand in August to ensure athletes continue to make strength and conditioning gains whilst overseas and on snow.

After a straining block back at home in Sydney, the Halfpipe team has returned to New Zealand to take part in a month long spring training camp at Cardrona.

The Cardrona Halfpipe has been in great, but the athletes have been challenged with difficult weather.

Olympic Champion Torah Bright, will be participating in an OWIA supported four week spring camp Halfpipe & Slopestyle initiative, at Mt Hutt, New Zealand, from mid October through to mid November.

Season's positive start to Sochi

24/8/2013

Australian snowboard halfpipe athletes launched their season and their march towards the 2014 Winter Olympic Games with positive performances in the season’s first World Cup event in New Zealand’s Cardrona resort today.

Australian Institute of Sport / NSW Institute of Sport athletes, Holly Crawford, the silver medallist in this year’s World Championships, and Nathan Johnstone, ranked in the top 10 in the world, both finished seventh in the event which was part of the annual New Zealand Winter Games.

Nineteen-year-old NSWIS rider Scott James went one better placing sixth today, equalling his best World Cup result, after qualifying in equal sixth spot in the 61 man field and advanced through to the final with the fourth highest score in his semi-final.

Adding to the encouragement for the Australians, seventeen-year-old Kent Callister, who is also striving to win team selection for the Sochi Winter Olympic Games in Russia next February, qualified in equal sixth place, but was unable to maintain his level in his semi-final, missing the cut for the final and finishing 16th overall.

Defending Olympic champion, Torah Bright, trained in New Zealand but elected not to compete.

The women’s final was won by America’s Kelly Clark, followed by China’s Xuetong Cai in second place and American Gretchen Bleiler was in the bronze medal position.

Japanese riders Ayumu Hirano and Taku Hiraoka were first and second in the men's draw while Switzerland’s Christian Haller placed third.

AIS snowboard halfpipe coach Ben Alexander said that although the squad would have preferred higher finishes, they will return to Australia with a number of positive outcomes and a clear indication that progress has been made towards a strong showing in Russia next year.

“We’re looking at the big picture,” Alexander said.

“We’re now getting back into competition mode. I wouldn’t say the results are outstanding but they were solid and they show that we are definitely moving in the right direction.

“The guys are in good shape and we are now looking to a great training camp in late September.”

The snowboard halfpipe squad will journey back to New Zealand for four weeks from September 23 and return to the World Cup stage in December.

Crawford’s podium finish at Olympic test event

15/2/2013

Snowboard halfpipe athlete Holly Crawford delivered Australia’s first podium finish at the site of next year’s Winter Olympic Games in Sochi tonight (Russian time).

Crawford, the silver medallist at last month’s World Championships, finished second in tonight’s fourth round of this season’s World Cup tour, which was also a test event for next year’s Winter Olympic Games, but aggravated a long standing injury.

The Australian Institute of Sport / NSW Institute of Sport rider’s condition was being assessed by medical personnel tonight, however, it is believed that the injury relates to rib cage cartilage damage.

She has been dealing with the condition since the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympic Games.

Crawford, who is known for her courage and resilience on the tour, could not attend tonight’s medal ceremony, which would have been her 17th podium appearance in a stellar career.

The event started brilliantly for the Australian, with Crawford earning automatic inclusion in the final, bypassing the need to compete in the semi-finals, by finishing her qualification heat yesterday in third place.

Crawford arrived at tonight’s halfpipe, which is part of a $50 billion-plus greenfield development for the 2014 Sochi Games, in discomfort after the rib injury recurred in the qualification session.

Her first run down the halfpipe in tonight’s final saw the Perisher based rider deliver a solid performance, attracting 78 points from the judges, enough to earn her second place at the halfway mark of proceedings.

Approaching her second run for the night with more determination to press for the lead, Crawford fell early, in what appeared to be a minor mishap.

However, the slight fall immediately ended her hopes of improving her run one score.

Crawford finished second to America’s two-time Olympic medallist Kelly Clark, with Frenchwoman Sophie Rodriguez in third.

Current Olympic champion Torah Bright showed glimpses of her talent but had to settle for seventh, resulting from a mistake on both runs, while other Aussie results saw Stephanie Magiros in 23rd, Hannah Trigger in 27th and Alexandra Fitch in 31st position.

AIS / NSWIS rider, Nathan Johnstone, was eighth in the men’s final after replicating Crawford’s performance of gaining automatic inclusion into tonight’s final with the third best score in his qualification heat.

Johnstone, who went into the event with severe jetlag and a virus, was unable to complete a clean run tonight, but was encouraging with his level of difficulty and amplitude.

Japan’s Taku Hiraoka won, with Switzerland’s Iouri Podladtchikov second and American Scott Lago third.
Australians Scott James was 13th while AIS / NSWIS athlete Kent Callister was 58th.

Crawford’s World Championship silver medal

21/1/2013

Snowboard halfpipe rider Holly Crawford won a World Championship silver medal in Stoneham, Canada, today, becoming one of only three Australians to finish on the podium of the biennial event on three occasions.

Crawford added the second place to her gold medal from 2011 and another silver from 2009, which equals the World Championship record of retired Australian aerial skier Jacqui Cooper and 2006 Olympic Mogul Skiiing champion Dale Begg-Smith.

Despite going into these Championships with just two events to her name in that last 12 months due to injury, the Australian Institute of Sport / NSW Institute of Sport rider went close to defending her title from Spain two years ago.

Crawford was edged off the podium top spot by American Arielle Gold, while Frenchwoman Sophie Rodriguez took the bronze.

Crawford had to fight back from a warm up session just before the final, which saw her unable to complete a full run without a mistake, due to heavy snow and the pipe’s slow conditions.

However, Crawford’s experience and determination enabled her to adjust from the slow start to the day, with the second of her two runs scoring 77.25 points, just 1.75 points away from Gold’s winning performance.

In the men’s event Australia’s other defending halfpipe champion and AIS / NSWIS rider Nathan Johnstone finished in seventh, after advancing to the final with the second best qualification score.

Two Australian teenagers, 18-year-old NSWIS athlete Scott James and AIS / NSWIS rider Kent Callister, 17, were both impressive in the qualification session, posting fifth and sixth best scores.

The pair finished their first World Championships in sixth and fifteenth, showing their potential for the future.

Swiss rider Iouri “i-pod” Podladtchikov was crowned World Champion, ahead of Japan’s Taku Hiraoka and Fin Markus Marlin in third place.

Crawford said that while she had hoped for another world title, she was extremely pleased to finish in the silver medal position.

“I’m really happy with the result,” Crawford said.

“It was really tough in there today. There was a lot of snow and the pipe was very slow and bumpy, which brings the field much closer together.

“It could have been anybody’s day today.

“It was really a case of who could get their run down basically.

“The conditions were as tough as I have experienced in some time.

Crawford said that competing in only two events in the last 12 months and limited time with on-snow training was not an ideal way to defend her title.

“I was fairly confident that if I landed my run that I would be on the podium,” she said.

“There was definitely more that I would have liked to have done. I suffered a bit of a setback with my injury but you take the good with the bad.”

AIS halfpipe program coach Ben Alexander said that the conditions were unsuited to Johnstone’s riding style.

“Nathan likes to do his tricks really big out of the halfpipe and today with the pipe being really slow, it made it difficult for Nathan to perform at his best,” Alexander said.

“It was a tough day for Nate.

“When you perform your tricks going extremely high out of the halfpipe, that sets you apart from somebody who can’t go that big.

“The conditions were the same for everybody but the guys who don’t go high out of the halfpipe have an advantage in these conditions.”

Johnstone and Bright both win at Copper Mountain

13/1/2013

Australian Institute of Sport / NSW Institute of Sport snowboard halfpipe athlete Nathan Johnstone should go into next week’s World Championships at Stoneham, Canada, with great confidence and Torah Bright is recapturing the form that earned her a Winter Olympic Games gold medal after both recorded strong victories today.

Johnstone, the reigning World Champion, and Bright completed his-and-hers World Cup wins at Copper Mountain, USA, which has elevated Johnstone to the number one ranking while Bright has jumped to second place on the standings.
Their performances prompted AIS halfpipe coach Ben Alexander to describe the results as “outstanding”, given the level of talent in the event and the standard the Australians set today.

Johnstone was in great form finishing ahead of second and third placed Americans Luke Mitrani and Louie Vito while Bright was victorious over the 2002 Winter Olympic Games gold medallist Kelly Clark, from the United States, and Spanish rider Queralt Castellet who finished third.

“Both Nate and Torah were outstanding today,” Alexander said.

“With the number of young talented riders entering the sport now and the fact that the last Olympics were three years ago and everybody is now so much better, today’s wins were outstanding,” Alexander said.

Johnstone wowed the judges and spectators, as well as surprising everybody except himself and other Australians, with a technical run consisting of a backside air to a frontside double cork 1080, a cab 1080 taipan, a frontside 900 mute and a backside 900 melon.
Bright was awarded the day’s highest score, 85.75, in her first of two runs with a backside air to air to air fakie, a cab 720 indy, frontside air, backside 540 mute and a backside alley oop rodeo 540.

Johnstone and Bright headlined a record breaking day for Aussie World Cup skiers and snowboarders, a day that consisted of an unprecedented two wins and a further three podium finishes in just one day.

Seventeen-year-old Kent Callister also provided his share of dazzle to the day by finishing ninth in the field of 83 men in just his second World Cup event.

Since making his World Cup debut in New Zealand last August as a 16-year-old, the young gun has impressed, establishing himself as a potential high achiever in years to come.

Another Australian teenager, 2010 Olympian Scott James, finished in 28th while in the women’s draw reigning World Champion and AIS / NSWIS athlete Holly Crawford experienced mistakes in the qualifying round and had to be content with 35th place.

NSWIS athlete Stephanie Magiros was 27th while Alex Fitch placed 34th.

Aussies make their mark in Breckenridge

16/12/2012

Australian snowboard athletes have recorded impressive results today in one of the world’s most prestigious halfpipe events, the Dew Tour, in Breckenridge, USA.

Reigning Olympic gold medallist Torah Bright showed her rivals that her comeback is progressing strongly with an impressive fourth place while defending World Champion and AIS/NSWIS rider, Nate Johnstone finished the final in sixth.

Given the quality of the field and the athletes who finished in the first five places of the men’s final – Shaun White, Louie Vito, Taku Hiraoka, Christian Haller and Ayumu Hirano – Johnstone’s sixth place is a great early season result.

Australian Institute of Sport halfpipe program coach Ben Alexander labeled Johnstone’s performance as “particularly positive” with the World Championships in Stoneham, Canada, just four weeks away.

“Anybody who is a big name in halfpipe was there so Nate was very pleased to be invited to compete,” Alexander said.

“It would have been nicer to finish higher in the results but sixth in that list is still very impressive.”

In other results, Australian Institute of Sport scholarship holder, 17-year-old Kent Callister, showed why big things are expected of him in the future when he finished 18th in the semi-final.

AIS/NSWIS scholarship holder and 2011 World Champion Holly Crawford, who missed most of last season with an injury, took another step in her comeback when she finished 9th in the semis.

American Kaitlyn Farrington picked up the winner’s prize, followed by Spain’s Querait Castellet, American Maddy Schaffrick, Torah Bright from Australia and American Kelly Clark in fifth place.

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