Australia’ Josie Baff has made an incredible start to the World Cup season, winning gold overnight in the opening snowboard cross event in Les Deux Alpes, France.
 
The podium performance is also the first of the 19-year-old teenagers’ career in just her eighth World Cup start, becoming just the second Australian female snowboard cross rider to win a World Cup event.
 
The Jindabyne local was in great form at the French resort, qualifying for finals in fourth place under sunny conditions. Heavy wind and snowfall then set in, with the event postponed 24 hours. Conditions improved slightly for the new competition day but was still difficult for all competitors.
 
Baff continued her fast riding into finals, winning her quarter final round and placing second in the semi final to reach the first big final medal round of her career.
 
In the big final, Baff had another great start and was in the top two for the first half of the course. Baff then made her move hitting the front and was able to fend off all challenges to cross the line in first place.
 
Finishing behind Baff on the podium were French riders Chloe Trespeuch and Lea Casta with Lara Casanova of Switzerland in fourth.
 
“I am very overwhelmed right now, but thankyou to everyone, my coaches, my wax techs and hello to my family back home” said Baff as she caught her breath in the finish area.
 
“I still can’t believe this has happened.”
 
In the men’s event, both Cameron Bolton and Adam Lambert made it through to the quarter final round, with Bolton finishing in ninth place and Lambert in 12th. Belle Brockhoff was the seventh fastest qualifier, but did not start in finals, giving her a final ranking of 15th.
 
The snowboard cross athletes will next be in action in the Italian resort of Cervinia, competing in a World Cup event on December 16.

Josie Baff has a had a memorable finish to the World Cup season in Veysonnaz, Switzerland, recording a personal best seventh place and taking home the FIS Snowboard Cross Rookie of the Year award.
 
Baff was drawn in the quarter final stage against 2022 double Olympic Champion Lindsey Jacobellis of the USA, and crossed the line in second place ahead of the American to advance through to the semi-final stage for the first time in her career.
 
In the semi final, Baff was unable to progress to the big final in fourth, and finished in third place in the consolation small final to give her a personal best overall ranking of seventh.
 
Cam Bolton was the highest place Australian in the men’s event after finishing in ninth, with Adam Lambert and Adam Dickson both in 17th.
 
In the end of season World Cup standings, Belle Brockhoff was the highest ranked Australian in fourth place despite missing the last two events. Baff finished her first full World Cup season in 16th.
 
Bolton was our highest ranked male in seventh, with Lambert 11th and Dixon 16th.

Australia's two snowboard cross mixed teams were unable to finish in the quarter-finals, with Belle Brockhoff treated for an injury sustained on course.

Triple Olympians Cam Bolton and Belle teamed up, while Jindabyne's Josie Baff and Adam Lambert formed Australia's second team in the new Olympic event.

In Snowboard cross four male athletes race first and the time advantage the winning male has is transferred to his female teammate, with the other three women leaving the start gate in a staggered format. The top two women to finish secure a place for their team in the next round.

Australia's two teams were drawn to compete in the same quarter-final. Cam and Adam were the two fastest starters in their run, with Cam finishing fastest and Adam just .42 seconds behind in third.

But it wasn't to be Australia's day, with Josie taking a tumble and moments later Belle clipped the board of another rider to lose her balance and suffer a fall.

Josie made her way down the course shortly after, but the competition was stopped for Belle to receive medical attention on the course.

Belle complained of a sore neck and was subsequently taken to hospital as a precaution for imaging.

Those scans were all clear and Belle will be heading back to re-join her teammates at the Athletes Village.

Speaking with Channel 7 after being eliminated from the competition, Cam had Belle in his thoughts and reflected on the race.

"First of all I hope she (Belle) is doing well. I heard from the team that she's doing OK and it's just precautionary and they think everything is good," Cam said.

"Hopefully that's the case. [To lose in the quarter-finals] was really disappointing. It's just one of those things.

"Lambo and Josie – I'm so sorry for them too. Josie had such a great start, she was coming in fast behind Lindsey [Jacobellis] (USA) who won gold the other day."

Adam found himself in an intense run.

"The men's races are always super tight," Adam said.

"Cam and [Nick] Baumgartner (USA) are incredible riders. I just wanted to win. I tried really hard."

The conditions were significantly different to what the snowboarders had in their earlier Olympic events, with it snowing at the Zhangjiakou Genting Snow Park making the course slower, which changed the entire dynamic for racing and strategy.

"There is so much snow [falling], the course is tricky," Cam said.

"It's hard to clear the jumps in the middle."

For more snowboarding action you can catch Beijing 2022 bronze medallist Tess Coady and Matt Cox in big air qualifying on Tuesday 15 February.

olympics.com.au
Jeff Dickinson-Fox

Cameron Bolton, Jarryd Hughes, Adam Lambert and Adam Dickson are all thinking what could have been following their participation in the men's snowboard cross at the Zhangjiakou Genting Snow Park.
 
Despite a gallant effort from each athlete, unfortunately they didn't achieve the success they wanted.

Cameron was the best-performing Aussie, making it to the quarter-finals before being eliminated there in the knockout format. Jarryd, Adam Lambert and Adam Dickson did not progress beyond the 1/8 finals.

Missing out on a podium chance was difficult for him to process and knows his teammates will be feeling flat with their results.

"I think it's the nature of the sport," Cameron said.

"I can tell you that there will be four boys after today that are bitterly disappointed with the result.

"I didn't see the other guys runs but I know they're capable of much stronger results on the day and have shown that this season and the last couple of seasons.

"Hopefully there will be a bit of redemption on Saturday in the mixed team event."

Jarryd, a silver medallist at PyeongChang 2018 and on the comeback trail from ankle surgery, found himself in an extremely tough 1/8 final.

"I was riding against two of the best riders in the world. We had the world number one and the world champion in that heat so it's always going to be tough. You can't make any mistakes," Jarryd said.

"I didn't have the best start, but it wasn't the worst one. I just made a big mistake when I was trying to make my move.

"I should be able to do that [move] 10 times out of 10 but it was one of those screwups that you take a hard beating from and then come back in four years [better for the experience]."

The development Adam Lambert had made from PyeongChang 2018 was noticeable. He finished 29th four years ago and put down the sixth fastest time in the seeding rounds. His last turn in the 1/8 final was what he wanted to change.

"Everything went to plan until the last turn. I just gave too much room to Merlin [Surget from France]," Adam said.

"It feels great to be here, it feels terrible to lose. That's boardercross. We love it."

The mixed team snowboard cross event will feature Australia and is held on Saturday 12 February. The athletes competing are yet to be announced.

olympics.com.au
Shannon Knaus

Australia's snowboard cross athletes have taken part in a World Cup doubleheader in Krasnoyarsk, Russia, with a number of strong performances, just missing the podium on three occasions.
 
In the first event, Belle Brockhoff made the big final, finishing fourth, with 2020 Youth Olympic champion Josie Baff finishing in ninth. On the men’s side, Adam Dickson made the small final, finishing seventh, Cam Bolton 13th, Adam Lambert 17th and Jarryd Hughes 36th.
 
Brockhoff again surged to make the big final and came close again in fourth, with Baff in 17th. Adam Lambert made the big final on the men’s side for Australia’s third fourth-place finish of the weekend, with Dickson in sixth, Bolton in ninth and Hughes in 17th.

After five events, Brockhoff is currently ranked third in the world on the women's World Cup standings, with Adam Lambert (10th), Cam Bolton (11th) and Adam Dickson (14th) all ranked in the top-15 in the men's standings.

The snowboard cross athletes will now return to central Europe to train ahead of the final World Cup event before the Olympics in Cortina d'Amprezzo, Italy, on January 29.

Bell Brockhoff has continued her strong start to the World Cup snowboard cross season, claiming the silver medal overnight in Montafon, Austria.
 
The podium performance sees the 28-year-old from Melbourne move up to third place on the World Cup standings after two events.
 
Brockhoff reached the big final after taking out victories in the quarter and semi final heats. In a closely contested final with several lead changes, Brockhoff was just edged at the finish line behind Charlotte Bankes of Great Britain, with Chloe Trespeuch of France in third.
 
“It’s really good to be back on the podium”, said a happy Brockhoff after collecting the 13th World Cup medal of her career.
 
“I was a bit rusty at the opening World Cup in China, but it was good to get the cobwebs out and bring in some good momentum into this race.
 
In her second World Cup start, 18-year-old Josie Baff from Jindabyne had an impressive qualifying performance, advancing to finals in second place. Baff finished third in her quarter-final heat to give her a personal best ninth place finish.
 
“Definitely a little bit bittersweet today”, said the 2020 Youth Olympic Games gold medallist.
 
“Really stoked to get my first top ten result, but wished it was under different circumstances where I was happy with my riding and run top to bottom.”
 
“But as always, there are heaps of things to take away and put into action for the World Cup in Cervinia next week.”
 
Also in action for Australia was Jarryd Hughes (22nd), Mia Clift (26th), Cam Bolton (26th), Declan Dent (29th), Adam Dickson (33rd), Kobi Dent (47th) and Adam Lambert (57th).
 
The snowboard cross athletes will be back in action tonight competing in the mixed team event in Montafon. 2021 mixed team World Champion’s Brockhoff and Hughes will team up again for Australia.
 
The mixed team event will debut at the Olympic Winter Games in Beijing.

Australia’s snowboard cross athletes have had a successful test run on the Beijing 2022 Olympic course, with Adam Lambert and Belle Brockhoff recording encouraging semi-final performances at the World Cup event in Secret Garden, China.
 
Lambert was particularly impressive and looks well suited to the Secret Garden track, qualifying for finals in seventh place, and rode well to record wins in the round of 32 and 16 to advance through to the semi-final.
 
In the semi-final round, Lambert had some good sections out front and led for parts of the race, but just missed out on advancing to the big-final in third place. Lambert bounced back in the small final, crossing the line for the win to finish the day ranked fifth overall.
 
“Not a bad week, I qualified seventh and finished fifth and I always try to beat my qualifying result so I am happy with that”, said the 24-year-old Olympian from Jindabyne.
 
“This course is really my style, I love gliding and flat basing, and I am short, which helps when there are head winds.
 
“China is definitely a different place, we are used to competing in Europe and North America, but all in all it was run really well.”
 
In the women’s finals, Brockhoff advanced through the quarter-final round in second place, and then had to face off in the semi-finals against Olympic gold medallists Eva Samkova of the Czech Republic and Michaela Moioli of Italy. In a tough race, Brockhoff just missed out on making it though to the big final in third place. In the small-final, Brockhoff finished second, to finish the event in sixth place.
 
“Mixed feelings from today, I came here to win, I know I have the ability and have the drive to, but it just didn’t come together for me at this race” said the 28-year-old Mixed Team World Champion from Melbourne.
 
“I had a heavy hit in training just before heats, but I powered through, so happy I can fight through like that.”
 
“They did a really good job here, they wanted to put on a good event, and they did, the track, accommodation and facilities for teams were well put together. Hopefully they can improve even further on that I am looking forward to the Olympic Games.”
 
The men’s event was won by Austrian Alessandro Haemmerle Eva Samkova taking the win in the women’s event.
 
Also in action for Australia was 2018 Olympic silver medallist Jarryd Hughes in 12th place, Adam Dickson 16th, Cam Bolton 31st, and in her World Cup debut 17-year-old Mia Clift finished 22nd.
 
The snowboard cross athletes will next be in action when the World Cup tour resumes in Montafon, Austria, with the single event on December 10 and mixed-team event on December 11.

NSWIS snowboarder Adam Lambert has finished in fourth place at the final snowboard cross event of the season in Veysonnaz, Switzerland, his best placing of the season.

The world cup final saw the top-32 men and top 16-women in action, with Lambert joined by teammates Adam Dickson as the only two Australian’s competing at the Swiss resort.

Lambert finished in first place in his round of 32 heat, was second in the round of 16, and advanced to the big final after crossing the line in second position in the semi-final.

in the big final medal round, Lambert had a fall after contact with another rider half way down the course ending his race, which left him in fourth place.

“Pretty stocked, but disappointed to have the fall in the final, but it happens, and a top four in my first season back from knee surgery is pretty decent, so I am happy”, said the 23-year-old from Jindabyne.

Lambert finished the season ranked in 15th place, with Dickson in 25th on the standings after finishing 17th in Veysonnaz, his third top-20 of the season.

2021 World Championship team gold medallists Belle Brockhoff and Jarryd Hughes did not compete in the final, with Brockhoff suffering a season ending injury in early March in Bakuriani, Georgia, and Hughes was not eligible after only competing in the one World Cup event this season.

The snowboard cross team have now completed their international season and will return to Australia in the next few weeks.
 
IMAGE: Adam Lambert (right) in action at the World Cup final in Switzerland © FIS Snowboard/GEPA

The Australian Snowboard Cross team have competed in a double World Cup event in Bakuriani, Georgia, with some promising performances at the penultimate event of the season.

On day one, Youth Olympic Games Gold Medallist Josie Baff made her World Cup debut and was the highest place Australian finisher in 15th position. Baff’s NSWIS teammates Adam Dickson made it through to the quarter-final round finishing in 16th place, with Adam Lambert in 25th.

On day two, Dickson was in great form winning his heat in the round of 32 and 16 to make it through to the semi-final stage for the first time this season.

In the semi-final, Dickson was in third position half way down the course, but mistimed a feature which took him out of the heat.

Dickson then competed in the consolation small final, where he placed fourth to give him a final ranking of eighth place, his best result of the season.

Adam Lambert finished third in his round of 32 heat to finish in 17th place. Baff did not start on day two.

Unfortunately, Belle Brockhoff sustained an injury during official training and had to withdraw from both days of competition and will conclude her season.

The final World Cup of the season will take place in Veysonnaz, Switzerland, on March 20. The event will be a reduced field with just the top 16 women and top 32 men in action.

Adam Lambert and Adam Dickson have both qualified to compete in the World Cup final, sitting in 21st and 25th place respective on the standings.

2018 Olympic silver medallist Jarryd Hughes is currently the third reserve in 35th place, after only racing in one World Cup event this season.

IMAGE: Adam Dickson (green bib) dropping from the start gate in Bakurian © FIS

NSWIS snowboarder Jarryd Hughes has continued his strong recent form with a tenth place finish in the snowboard cross World Cup event in Reiteralm, Austria.

The 2018 Olympic silver medalist qualified for finals in 11th place, and made a great start to heat racing winning in the round of 32.

In the quarter final round, Hughes just missed out on advancing to the next stage finishing third in his heat, giving him a final placing of tenth.

Also in action were NSWIS teammates Adam Dickson in 31st and Adam Lambert in 36th.

Unfortunately World Championship mixed team gold medalist Belle Brockhoff was unable to compete due to knee soreness, but is expected to return to training in the next weeks.

2020 Winter Youth Olympic Games Champion Josie Baff has recently joined the Snowboard Cross team in Europe for the remainder of the season with an aim to begin the qualification process towards Beijing 2022 Olympic Games.

The snowboard cross team will next head to Bakuriani, Georgia, for a double World Cup event on March 4 and 5.

IMAGE: Jarryd Hughes taking in the sun at Reiteralm © Jarryd Hughes Instagram

Belle Brockhoff came agonisingly close to a podium finish but had to settle for fourth place in the FIS Snowboard Cross World Championships at Idre Fjall (SWE) early on Friday morning (AEDT).

In an exciting race with multiple change of leads, Brockhoff was quick out of the gate, beaten only by defending World Champion Eva Samkova (CZE). Brockhoff battled for second position with Charlotte Bankes of Great Britain for large portions of the run, with the two eventually overtaking Samkova after one of the jumps.

Unfortunately Brockhoff slipped out of the course at the bottom roller section while in second place, a mistake that relegated her out of medal contention and allowed Bankes to sail towards gold, with Moioli (ITA) in second place and Samkova in third.

In the Men’s event, 2018 Olympic silver medallist Jarryd Hughes was the best placed of the Australian athletes, making his way through to the quarter finals to close in 11th place. After qualifying brilliantly for the finals, neither Adam Dickson nor Adam Lambert could advance past the first final round and finished in 24th and 26th place respectively.

Brockhoff and Hughes will be in the start gate again tonight (Friday) for the Mixed Snowboard Cross Team event. The race starts at 10.30pm AEDT and Snow Australia is once again able to provide exclusive live access to the event broadcast for the Australian audience. To watch the race head over to https://www.snow.org.au/live/

The 2021 FIS Ski & Snowboard Cross World Championships will take place this week in the Swedish resort of Idre Fjäll. 

The World Championships will open up first with the Snowboard Cross on February 11 with the Snowboard Cross team event on February 12.  The Ski Cross athletes will close out the World Championships on February 13.

In action for Australia will be World Cup medalists Belle Brockhoff, Adam Lambert and Adam Dickson, with  2018 Olympic silver medalist Jarryd Hughes competing in his first event of the season.

Doug Crawford and Robbie Morrison will be making their World Championship debut in the Ski Cross competition.

Full Schedule
Tuesday February 9 - Snowboard Cross Qualifying
Wednesday February 10 - Ski Cross Qualifying
Thursday February 11 - Snowboard Cross Final
Friday February 12 - Snowboard Cross Team Event
Saturday February 13 - Ski Cross Final
 
IMAGE: Belle Brockhoff and Adam Dickson celebrate podium performances at the World Cup finals in Veysonnaz, Switzerland, in March 2020 © Chris Hocking

The World Cup Snowboard Cross tour has commenced for 2021, with a double event taking place in Valmalenco, Italy.

NSWIS rider Belle Brockhoff was the fastest qualifier out of the Australian athletes in action, advancing through to finals in third place.

Brockhoff then recorded two top-10 performances, unable to advance past the quarter final stage finishing in ninth place on both days of competition.

In the men's event, Adam Lambert also made it through to the quarter final round on both days, finishing in 12th place on day one and 13th on day two.

Lambert's NSWIS teammate Adam Dickson was also in action, finishing in 33rd on day one and 25th on day two.
 
The next event on the schedule for the snowboard cross athletes will be the World Championships in Idre Fjäll, Sweden, on February 11.
 
IMAGE: Adam Lambert taking on qualifying in Valmalenco © FIS

During the Australian winter season Adam Dickson trained on snow at Perisher with NSWIS Head Coach Jason Clauscen. Teammate Adam Lambert also made his return to snow from injury sustained in December 2019. Cam Bolton, Belle Brockhoff and Jarryd Hughes focused mostly on their strength and conditioning at home during this time.
 
In early October, Brockhoff, Dickson and Lambert all headed over to Europe to train on snow with OWIA Coaches Harald Benselin and Jan Klesma in Switzerland and Austria.
 
World Cup events scheduled to take place in December have been cancelled due to the COVID situation in each country. The first World Cup event of the season is now scheduled for mid January.

The FIS World Cup Snowboard Cross season kicked off in Montafon, Austria, with Australian Winter Olympians Cameron Bolton and Belle Brockhoff both winning a place on the podium.

Bolton, 29, from Melbourne, Victoria, won silver in the men’s Snowboard Cross and Brockhoff, 26, from Melbourne, took bronze in the women’s.

Bolton’s silver is his third World Cup medal, and first silver placement. The two time Winter Olympian secured his spot in the final in tough weather conditions with heavy snow and wind to take second at the finish line.

“I’m absolutely wrapped to come away with a second for the first event, I took it one heat at a time” said Bolton of his race strategy. “I’m looking for a podium in every race, I think you have to go into every race looking for that.”

It was a particularly sweet third place for Brockhoff. This season is her first full season back after two separate knee injuries in the past two years. The bronze medal at Montafon on is her eighth World Cup medal (3 gold, 3 silver, 2 bronze) and first since 2017.

“I’m so happy, it’s been a long road” said an ecstatic Brockhoff. “I had quite a few plans in place to see what would happen at the start and best options to take. This is a great way to start the 2019/2020 season.”

Alessandro Haemmerle (AUT) took gold and Omar Visinton (ITA) took bronze in the men’s event and Eva Samkova (CZE) took gold and Michela Moioli (ITA) took silver in the women’s event.

Olympic silver medallist, Jarryd Hughes, also performed well, finishing third in the small final, giving him a final ranking of seventh place overall.

Other Australian athletes competing in Montafon were Adam Lambert (19th), Adam Dickson (31st) and Alex "Chumpy" Pullin (48th).

The Australian snowboard cross team will now travel to Cervinia, Italy, for the next FIS World Cup on December 22. 

Mt Hotham hosted races three and four of the SBX FIS ANC on Wednesday 3 and Thursday 4 September with plenty of action across the two days.

A host of internationals from Germany, USA, Japan, Brazil, Korea, China, Thailand and Canada lined up against some strong, young Australian talent - a combination which resulted in some hotly contested races.

Olympian Belle Brockhoff was in fine form in her maiden competition in 2019, after returning from a knee injury, taking out first place in the women’s race three and was closely followed by Aussie Mia Clift who finished third.

In the men’s race, Olympian Cam Bolton won the silver with fellow Aussies Olympian Adam Lambert and Adam Dickson crossing the line in 5th and 6th position respectively.

The Aussie men remained consistent throughout the two day competition as they secured three top five positions in Race four -– Dickson third, Lambert fourth and Bolton in fifth.

Race for for the women saw the Aussie young guns step up and take it to the strong international cohort, with 15-year-old Mia Clift claiming second spot and 16-year-old Josie Banff taking out fourth place.

Young gun Mia Clift was crowned as the overall Continental Cup champion in the women’s and after some strong performances Cam Bolton claimed the men’s title.

It was a big week for Australian snowboarders as Mt Hotham hosted the annual FIS ANC SBX and Australian National Grom Championships.

From the emerging to the elite, there was something for everyone as riders of all ages and abilities took to the mountain.
Olympian Cam Bolton topped the podium in Race 1 of the men's ANC, defeating Adam Dickson and Olympian Adam Lambert.

In the women's ANC race, Christina Taylor won from Josie Baff and Jessica Dickson.

Bolton said the international competition was among the strongest he has seen at Mt Hotham.

“Normally the first couple of rounds you can relax but it started to heat up a little earlier this year,” Bolton said.

“Athletes who’ve been on the pathway for a few years are starting to get quicker and they’re keeping the national team on our toes,” he said.

The two-time Olympian won each of his heats and that set the scene for a close final.  

“I had a good start and was out quick and into the lead. Adam (Dickson) was right on my hammer and drafting in the middle of the course, doing everything he could.

“He (Dickson) tried to pull up on my inside and we got the wobbles and that gave me a bit of speed and we spread back out.

“It was tight over the last three turns. Adam (Dickson) was riding really well so it was good to have that good healthy battle,” Bolton said.

Offering more than competition, the FIS ANC SBX and Australian National Grom Championships is run in conjunction with the SSA Futures Camp and this year's event saw 74 pathway athletes make the most of talent development opportunities and a chance to train alongside OWIA and NSWIS athletes. This was SSA's largest attended SBX Futures Camp and next year's event is expected to be even bigger to allow more of the SBX community to get involved.

Two time Olympian Cameron Bolton has finished the season off in style, taking bronze at the World Cup Final in Veysonnaz, Switzerland.

The third place result is the NSWIS rider's second podium of the season. In February he won his maiden World Cup victory in Feldberg, Germany.

After the event a happy Bolton commented.

"Had a crazy start to the day, had a big crash in training but luckily had Wennie here to help me out and work some miracle physio at the top."

"The first heat was shaky too, I was in second place and got passed by everyone after I made a mistake, and then went from fourth back to first."

"It's been a rollercoaster day, won the next round of 16, second in the semi-final, and then finished on the podium."

Also in action for Australia was Alex "Chumpy" Pullin, who finished 18th and Adam Lambert 25th.

The final World Cup standings reflect Bolton's breakthough season, with a personal best fifth place end of season ranking, easily surpassing his previous best of 20th in 2017.

Pullin finished the season in seventh, with Adam Lambert 15th.

IMAGE - Cam Bolton celebrates on the podium © OWIA/Lachy Keevers

NSWIS Snowboard Cross athlete Adam Lambert has become the second Australian Snowboard Cross athlete to win a World Cup medal this season, taking silver in Baqueira Beret, Spain.

His second place finish was the 21-year-old's first podium appearance since last season.

"I am so happy to finally get back on the podium, it's been a tough year for me with fewer races this season but I'm stoked to have pulled a result out and I'm excited to get to Veysonnaz."

It was a strong event for the NSWIS athletes, with four Australian athletes reaching the top 16 quarter final stage.

Triple Olympian Alex 'Chumpy' Pullin also placed well, taking out the men's small final to finish fifth overall. Jarryd Hughes came in at 11th, Cameron Bolton in 16th, while Adam Dickson placed 22nd and Josh Miller 49th.

The final event of the season in Veysonnaz, Switzerland, will feature a limited field of only the top 32 ranked athletes on the World Cup standings.

Four Australians will be in action, with Alex Pullin currently ranked fourth, Cameron Bolton eighth, Adam Lambert 10th and Jarryd Hughes 25th.

IMAGE - Adam Lambert (left) on the podium in Spain © FIS Snowboard

olympics.com.au

Australian dual Olympian Cameron Bolton has claimed his first ever FIS Snowboard Cross World Cup win in Feldberg, Germany. The victory was even sweeter for the 28-year-old NSWIS rider who crashed on this course three years ago which resulted in a broken back. 

Lining up in the 40th start of his career matched up in a tough final heat against German pair Paul Berg and Konstantin Schad, as well as young Japanese rider Yoshiki Takahara, jumping quickly out of the left gate and into the lead before the first corner with the Germans hot on his tail.

With Takahara clipping Schad’s board and nearly crashing on the first corner, Schad and Berg would be free to battle for second while Bolton opened up a comfortable lead, holding on easily through the finish for the win.

“It feels really, really good,” said Bolton of his first World Cup win, “It was a tricky race today and I'm happy I was able to come out here and do it.

"Three years ago I broke my back on this course, so to come out here and qualify first and then take the win, it feels like I have a little bit of redemption. And to share the podium with a couple of German riders on their home turf is nice, too.

"I took a lot of confidence out of qualifying in first, however, I immediately shifted my focus to the heat racing, which was going to be another kettle of fish.

"Everything came together and I had one of those days where you feel as though you can control everything around you. 

"I'm feeling great on snow and have a terrific team around me.  I'm looking forward to building on this result," he said.

Also in finals for Australia was Alex "Chumpy" Pullin, who finished in 18th place, with Adam Dickson 29th, and Jarryd Hughes 31st.

Adam Lambert in 33rd and Josh Miller 43rd just missed qualifying for the 32-man final rounds.

The Snowboard Cross team now has a break before the next World Cup in Baqueira Beret, Spain, on March 2nd.

IMAGE - Cam Bolton celebrates his first career Victory after crossing the finish line in Feldberg © FIS Snowboard

Two time World Champion Alex "Chumpy" Pullin has made a strong start to the season, finishing seventh and fourth in the opening FIS Snowboarding World Cup events in Cervinia, Italy.

After the two events, Pullin is currently ranked fifth in the world, a testament to consistent form in both events  in Cervinia.

Olympic Silver Medallist Jarryd Hughes was Australia's highest ranked qualifier in eighth place, and went on to finish in 19th on day one and 22nd on day two.

The other NSWIS program athletes, Cameron Bolton (26th and 34th), Adam Dickson (30th and 52nd), Josh Miller (40th and 54th) and Adam Lambert (43rd and 14th) were also in action in Italy.

A special mention to Josh Miller, who was able to compete after a hospital visit following a bad crash during training on the day before qualification.

The Snowboard Cross program now has a long break before the next event, the 2019 World Championships at the end of January in Solitude, UT, USA.

Australian Athlete Results
Alex Pullin - 7th and 4th
Jarryd Hughes - 19th & 22nd
Cameron Bolton - 26th & 34th
Adam Dickson - 30th & 52nd
Josh Miller - 40th & 54th
Adam Lambert - 43rd & 14th

IMAGE - Alex "Chumpy" Pullin out in front in the yellow bib © Miha Matavz/FIS

With the penultimate Snowboard Cross individual World Cup and team event completed in Moscow, Russia over the weekend, Alex Chumpy Pullin has strengthened his position in third on the World Cup Standings after finishing 8th and is currently on 5,016 points behind Pierre Vaultier (FRA) and Alessandro Haemmerle (AUT).

Finishing in 11th in the Moscow World Cup was Adam Lambert who now looks to be safely inside the top ten in the World Standings on 2472.20 points.

Together, Pullin and Lambert rode in the SBX team event, placing 13th, again picking up valuable points.  

The FIS SBX World Cup tour will continue next weekend in Switzerland, where Veysonnaz is set to host the season's finals with an individual and a team event race from 16 to 18 March.