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.

​SNOWBOARD CROSS: Sochi 2014 Olympian Belle Brockhoff has been cleared to compete in the women’s snowboard cross event at PyeongChang 2018, after her initial selection was subject to medical clearance.

The Melbourne-native has had a rollercoaster twelve months of injury including a crash in early December that forced her to have surgery on her ACL less than two months out from Games.

The 25-year-old is relieved that she’ll be taking the start line on Day 7 of the Winter Games, saying she was “really happy” to pass the medical test.

“I was a bit nervous about the injury given that it was an ultimatum - either pass the test or go home and start over,” Brockhoff said, after acknowledging her recovery window post-surgery would be very short.

“I didn’t have a lot of time either so I was starting to feel the pressure but didn’t allow myself to crack. I just kept on believing in myself and telling myself it’s all mental.”

Brockhoff is now in Feldberg, Germany set to compete in a modified World Cup program before the 2018 Games kick off.

“I have a plan in place to compete in just the time trials and maybe do one round of heats in the second World Cup here since we want it to be a smooth introduction back to sport,” Brockhoff said.

“I’ve had a week on snow prior and got my confidence back. I’m really pushing it on my board so my knee can get used to the feeling.”

Brockhoff said she would not have got through her recovery period without her support team who have been helping her in every way possible so that she can compete in her second Olympic campaign.

“It has all been an awesome mental test that I’m really stoked about.

“It’s given me a whole new level of self-belief and knowing that no matter how many times life beats you down, you can get back up.”

Brockhoff will compete on February 16 where the top 30 female boardercross riders in the world will all vie for a chance to call themselves an Olympic Champion.

Ashleigh Knight
olympics.com.au

Despite suffering a serious knee injury last week, Snowboard Cross athlete Belle Brockhoff has declared she will do everything she can to make the start line at the PyeongChang 2018 Winter Olympic Games.  
 
The 24-year-old suffered a bad crash in training in heavy weather conditions last week in Val Thorens, rupturing her ACL and chipping cartilage in her knee, forcing her to undergo surgery yesterday in Melbourne. 
 
But a determined Brockhoff has said even this won’t stop her from a second Olympic campaign. 
 
"I’m not giving up on the dream so easily," Brockhoff said. 
"I will be giving it my very best to come back since I know I'll regret it if I don't."
 
“I feel confident I can come back for the Olympics and perform as best I can."
 
2018 Chef de Mission, Ian Chesterman said the entire Olympic Team is behind her decision to push ahead towards the Olympic Games.
 
“Whilst this is a setback, Belle is still focussed on going to PyeongChang,” Chesterman said. 
 
“Her medical team have put a plan in place to treat the injury to give her every opportunity to compete in PyeongChang.
 
“Belle understands the risks involved in attempting to compete in PyeongChang but we will support her in every way possible to achieve her dream of competing at the Olympic Games next year.”
 
The Sochi Olympian has had an unfortunate 12 months of injury, starting with a crash at the 2017 World Championships in March, which saw her tear her ACL. 
 
After a intense five month rehabilitation period, the Melbourne-native got back on her board in August at Mt Buller, hoping to kick start her 2018 Olympic campaign.
 
"I know I have the support of my family, the OWI and the Australian Olympic Committee. Everyone is doing everything they can to get me back on a board in time for February."
 
Brockhoff finished the 2016/2017 season, third on the women’s world rankings and finished 8th in her Olympic debut four years ago in Sochi, Russia.

AOC

Sochi Olympian and Snowboard Cross athlete, Belle Brockhoff has suffered a crash in Val Thorens and will now return to Australia to assess the damage. 

"This definitely wasn't the return I had hoped for," said Brockhoff who was hoping to compete in her first World Cup at the French event.

"The visibility was horrendous so I couldn't see the take off on a feature. I missed the timing and landed funky."
After a year of injury problems that included surgery in March and only getting back on the snow in August, the Melbourne-native is remaining positive.

"Right now I believe it is bone bruising but I'll get a MRI in Austria this Friday.

"It is what it is really, there was a lot of positives that came from yesterday regardless of the crash."

Brockhoff said she had hit the benchmarks she had set for herself and it was just an unfortunate occurrence.

"Anyone could of made that mistake. There were a bunch of crashes on that course, even Eva Samkova (2014 Olympic Champion) crashed and now needs surgery.

"I don't feel I came back too early or wasn't ready, it was just unlucky. I am flying home to do my rehab and get stronger."

Brockhoff said the thing she was most disappointed in was not being able to defend her title at Montafon this week.

"I'm a little bummed I can't do the next few races but I want to be in the sport for a long time so I'm thinking about the bigger picture."

The 24-year-old was excited for her Australian team-mate Adam Lambert, who took home the silver medal at the World Cup event.

"I'm so stoked for Adam for his first ever World Cup podium, a huge congratulations to him."

Brockhoff said 20-year-old Lambert's silver medal overnight is a step in the right direction for the next generation of Aussie snowboard cross athletes.

"I'm so excited by younger athletes coming up through the ranks, it's great for our sport and the future of Australian snowboarding," she said. "Plus it lights the fire under our bums and gives us a run for our money."

Ashleigh Knight
olympics.com.au 

“Looking back at the crash in March it feels like it’s gone really quick,” Australia’s queen of Snowboard Cross Belle Brockhoff said from Switzerland late last week.
 
“It feels like just yesterday that I was flying home for surgery.”
 
After intensive rehab following reconstruction to her knee that took her out of the World Championships and unable to finish the World Cup season, Brockhoff was always one hundred percent convinced that not only would she be back, but better. The time allowed the seven-time World Cup medallist (including three gold), to strengthen mind, body and soul. 
 
After returning to snow in the domestic season under the watchful eye of OWIA Head of Rehab, Ashley Merkur, Brockhoff has continued on to Switzerland.  

“I am training in Saas Fee with my coach, physio and sport psych,” she explained. “We are working on many things technically and also a lot of basics, which I find really important. I’m also meditating heaps and working on that state of flow mentality.” 
 
“There’s definitely a new bounce in my step. Having not being able to ride for so long makes each day all the more exciting and sweeter.”
 
Her OWIA boardercross team mates Alex Pullin, Cam Bolton and Adam Lambert are due to join up in late November before the next World Cup  in Val Thorens, France on December 12.

“Yeah, I'm really looking forward to all the boys to come over. I really enjoy riding and training with them since I can learn heaps from them. We have a ton of fun together.

August 28 was a momentous day for Snowboard cross rider and Sochi Olympian, Belle Brockhoff who got back on a board and hit the slopes for the first time in over five months.

“It feels really good to be back,” said Brockhoff who has undergone serious knee surgery after a crash before World Championships saw her tear her ACL.

“I’m really happy to get on a snowboard again.”

Five months out from a Winter Olympic Games, most athletes would have spent plenty of time on the snow but the 24-year-old has taken another route - undergoing surgery and focusing on a full recovery before she takes on international competition.  

“Rehabilitation is going really well. My knee feels good and there weren’t any issues on snow.

“Right now, I’m just over preparing it since it’ll be a full-on schedule this tour,” said Brockhoff who is aiming to return to international competition this December.

“There’s no rush to compete but to really make sure things are solid with my knee. The priority is the Games in February.”

Brockhoff’s Australian boardercross team mates kicked off their Olympic season in Argentina last week with race one and two of the World Cup circuit, displaying performances Brockhoff described as “really amazing!”

Two-time Olympian and Brockhoff’s close friend, Alex “Chumpy” Pullin proved his means business in 2017, taking out both races. 

“The boys did so well, especially with Chumpy’s double win, what a legend! I’m really happy for him.”

Brockhoff who is hoping to replicate this success at her second Olympics in February, which she believes she can do if she focuses on being fit, both mentally and physically.

“I know once I get to the Games, I won’t be able to improve my skill level that much more but trust myself with my skill set and make sure I’m in a good headspace,” said Brockhoff who has been using meditation a tool for best performance. 
 
“I’ve been working with Tom, the Olympic Winter Institute’s Sport psychologist, on many things.

“I’m really excited about the progress I’ve made and looking forward to using the tools I have in action.

In her spare time between recovery and training, Brockhoff has started her own clothing label, a unisex line called Yuzoko.

“It’s going really well, ticking along slowly like any other start-up business.

“It does keep me busy but I love what I’m learning from it and enjoy the marketing side of it.

“It’s definitely something that I’ll want to keep doing 5-10 years from now if i keep working at it.”

Brockhoff will train in Melbourne for two more weeks, before heading to Europe to begin on snow training. 

Ash Knight
olympics.com.au
 

Triple World Cup gold medallist Belle Brockhoff is back on her snowboard at Mt Buller doing what she loves best after her awaited return-to-snow came to fruition today.

Anyone who follows Belle on twitter or Instagram will know how excited the world number three is to be back on snow following a knee surgery in January, which cut her season short before the World Championships and final World Cup.
 
“I see snowboarding days approaching! ,” an excited Brockhoff said in the countdown to today’s return.

“I’ve never been sent home for injury before and it’s been five months off snow. Longest time ever,” Brockhoff told OWIA.   

“This is the first time on snow since my crash at the world champs in Spain in March this year. I’m so excited.”

The Sochi Olympian was in the hunt to take last season’s world number one spot when she crashed at the World Championships in March, leaving the coveted Crystal Globe to her competitors.

Immediate surgery to her right knee required a full ACL reconstruction with the hamstring then a dedicated five months rehabilitation.

“It is what it is and you try your best,” a philosophical Brockhoff said. “I’ve had knee issues for a few years but I’m really happy now.”

“I’m making sure that I’m over prepared – making sure I have more icing on the cake. I told everyone on the day I had the injury that I would come back stronger.”
 
“Every weak point on my body is being worked on and mentally I feel stronger now too,” she added.
 
Brockhoff is more than satisfied with where she is currently at and has added meditation into her schedule.
 
“I’ve been right into meditation during the last few months. Tom Hammond (OWIA psychologist) has helped me fine-tune it.”
 
The 2016/17 season was a personal best for Australia’s queen of Snowboard Cross, starting out with two Europa Cup victories then capturing two World Cup golds (Austria and Bulgaria) and a silver in Germany before her crash in January.

Despite not being able to compete in the final World Cup, Brockhoff scored enough points to be awarded the World number three spot.  

“Looking back, it was a personal best and with a knee injury. Snowboard Cross is incredibly hard and I’m really excited being World number three and making history doing so back-to-back.”

“Last season was a learning curve for me. I had the leader jersey for most of the season, which was really awesome. My main rival grabbed it off me at the last World Cup but it’s still nice coming into the Games with a target on your back.”

Ashley Merkur, OWIA Medical Services & Rehabilitation Manager says Brockhoff is on track.

“Belle has been meticulous in her rehab so far and has moved onto the next phase now by returning to snow. She will continue to steadily progress her training over the next couple of months,” Merkur advises.

Making Australian sporting history is high on Brockhoff’s agenda.

She is aiming for her first 2017/18 First World Cup at Montafon, Austrai in mid-December and a good run-up to PyeongChang.

“When I ride my best on the day I can come away with a medal,” she said. “It’s not easy either. All the competitors will be training their arses off too.”

 “You see the same people, same routine, but we get two training days instead and a lot more media.”

“There’s a lot of waiting between features in the PyeongChang course, which doesn’t work well with the winds there and causes a lot of drafting and waiting.”

“’Conditions affect the strategy. If it’s a big head wind, it’s a bit tricky – you’ve got to plan it right.”

“I’m not one to stay in the start gate. I like to rev up and go. I’m not going to rely on others to do the work for me while I sit behind (drafting).”

The Olympic Village atmosphere is one she is looking forward to, having experienced it at Sochi where she came away with an eighth place.  

“You get to know your Australian team. It’s actually really cool.”

“The World Cups are like a big family on tour and we just see our own team but when we go to the Games we get to see the other sports.”

Brockhoff has already created Australian Snowboard Cross history but she has a lot more in store.

“I have another ten years in me after this Olympics and I want to bring the younger generation of snowboard cross riders with me. What I do will filter down to the younger riders,” she said.   

“I want them to try and beat me and I will do everything I  an for them to overtake me. I want the girls to beat me because it only betters me. There are no secrets and I don’t hide anything. I won’t hold anything back from the younger generation because I want them to have the information.”

“It’s important because one day (not any time soon) when I retire from the sport, who is going to keep it going for the females?”  

Brockhoff’s credits the driving desire to encourage other Australians to join her on the podium to her mother, Kristine.
“Mum has brought me up to help others. Sharing is caring. That not only makes you a better person but a better athlete,” Brockhoff said.  
 
There’s been no lazing around between rehab sessions over the past five months. Belle has also been busy expanding her unisex clothing brand Yuzoko, which is the combination of two Japanese words meaning ‘snow’ and ‘family’.

 “I’ve always loved to go to Japan snowboarding and I liked the sound of the two words together,” she explained.

The online clothing brand was founded in 2016 and launched in April 2017 and includes long sleeve shirts, tank tops and T-shirts.  

“We wanted high-quality products that endure, look good and have a design simplicity. Yuzoko.com is about good fabric with not overly complicated design that can take a lot of washing, gym work outs and be really tough.”  

“I’m learning how to market, seeing what works what doesn’t.”
 

La Molina in Spain is the second last stop on the Snowboard Cross World Cup circuit this season and will again feature Australia’s Belle Brockhoff who is the overall leader on 3,700 points ahead of Eva Samkova from the Czech Republic.

Both women have earned two wins and one second rank this season, respectively, and it's likely that the two dominating racers will play a major role on the 860 metres long course purpose-built on the Alabaus slope.

Alex “Chumpy” Pullin leads the Australian men in the world rankings at fourth, having taken the gold at the last World Cup in Feldberg, Germany. Pullin trails the leader Alessandro Haemmerle by 760 points.

Jarryd Hughes, who made it a one-two for Australia in Feldberg in mid Febraury by winning silver, is sitting in overall sixth position. Cam Bolton is currently in 20th and the up-and-coming Adam Lambert is in 32nd.

With only two more events of the World Cup season to come – the finals will be staged in Veysonnaz (SUI) the weekend after the world championships in Sierra Nevada, Spain.  

The qualifiers for the penultimate Snowboard Cross World Cup event are scheduled for Saturday, March 4 at 7.30pm (AEDT) with the heat of four finals live on Eurosport on Sunday, March 5 at 9.30pm (AEDT).
 

As Australia’s east coast sweltered, two-time World Champion Alex ‘Chumpy’ Pullin roared back onto the Snowboard Cross podium winning gold at the Feldberg World Cup in Germany yesterday in a dramatic race which saw fellow Aussie Jarryd Hughes claim the silver.
 
The one/two finish by Pullin and Hughes is a first for Australia on the World Cup Snowboard Cross tour.
 
Pullin’s latest win marks seven World Cup victories in a stellar career that has seen the 29-year-old remain consistently at or near the top of the Snowboard Cross world rankings since 2010.
 
Feldberg has solidified the momentum that Pullin says was building and feels “bloody awesome”.   
 
“I’ve had a couple of frustratingly close races this season. It’s really nice to get a win.”
 
The weekend had its ups and downs for Pullin, after he failed to qualify for the finals in the first World Cup on Saturday.
 
“That was a bummer but I learned a lot about the track.”  
 
The proven champion knew what he wanted after the disappointment of the day before.
 
“I came out pretty fired up. It was always going to be a long day and it was really important to put down a fast run in the in the heat.”
 
So fast, that Pullin was the fastest qualifier by almost half a second on a 36 second track.  
 
“To be able to pull that sort of margin gave me a boost. I raced a final in that first heat. To turn Saturday’s bad race day to a good one the next day was important to me. I knew I had the potential and I had to prove it to myself.”

The strong field included the who’s who of  Men’s Snowboard Cross  including the 2014 Sochi gold medallist, Pierre Vaultier (France) and current world ranked number one  Omar Visitin (Italy).
 
“Racing is incredibly close at the moment. One of the best things was that I got to race all the best guys and beat the World Cup leader not once but twice,” Pullin said.
 
“I wouldn’t have wanted to be anyone else today when I was in the gate. Winning was exactly what I wanted. To turn it around after yesterday makes me really happy.”
 
“The best rider is the one who can adapt – even if the course is not in their favour,” Pullin added.
 
Also adapting to the course was Jarryd Hughes, who took the silver but is no stranger to the podium having won a World Cup four years ago at just 17 and took gold in the X Games in 2016.
 
Hughes says his racing style is to focus on what he’s doing and to trust his instincts.
 
Those instincts paid off in Feldberg when ne narrowly made it through to the semi-finals in a photo finish and then fought hard to make it to the big final.
 
“I go in without a set plan and let what I want to do take over. There’s a lot of intensity at the start gate and it’s the people who best deal with it that continue on,” Hughes said.
 
“It was a fun race. I was really struggling with the start and was always in fourth in turn two so it made for a fun day of racing for me and to walk away with two finals is just a cherry on top,” Hughes said.
 
Featuring in the top eight was another Aussie, Adam Lambert who, in his first World Cup events in Germany, won his heat and quarter final but had to settle for the small final, where he finished 7th overall. Cam Bolton placed 21st and Matt Thomas 29th.
 
In the Ladies Snowboard Cross, with two victories already this season, Belle Brockhoff, was unlucky not to medal, having made it to the final four – but she still holds the overall world number one ranking.
 
The fifth Snowboard Cross World Cup will be held in Kazan, Russia from 24 to 26 February. 

Coming off her second season’s gold last week in Bulgaria, world leader Belle Brockhoff has kept the momentum going by winning silver under sunny skies at the first of two World Cup events in Feldberg, Germany.

Her third podium in four races keeps Brockhoff on top of the overall world leader board and her sights squarely set on the coveted Crystal Globe trophy by season’s end.

“I’m feeling pretty good,” Bellesaid immediately after the medal race.  “I do my best every day and it’s working out for me.”

After winning her Feldberg qualifications round and then leading from start to finish in the semi-final, Brockhoff said she “missed the start a little bit” in the big final.

“I lost time at the top and was catching up before I got tangled up on turn four. Ten more inches at the end would have been enough.”

“It’s a really good course here. They’ve done a good job with the course and I’d like to say thanks to the organisers for that.”

The race was won by Michela Moioli from Italy, but Brockhoff has been able to keep the momentum since her win at the World Cup opener in Montafon, Austria extending her World Cup lead (3,200) over Olympic champion Eva Samkova (CZE; 2,650).

“I wouldn't expect to be that consistent going into the season although I always try to ride my best every single time. The girls are really good, and it's definitely going up each year. It's good, it's pushing our sport, but I haven't been as consistent as I have been so far. So, I'm really happy,” Brockoff said in a post-race interview.

Jarryd Hughes was the best performed of the Australian men making it through to the semi-finals, where he unfortunately slipped and went down mid-course, placing fourth, ending up eighth overall.

“8th Place today in Feldberg. Not what I wanted but I'll take it,” Hughes said on Twitter.

Alex Pullin placed 21st, Cam Bolton 28th, Matt Thomas 32nd, Adam Lambert 52nd, Adam Dickson 59th and Josh Miller 38th. 

“Bring on the double,” is the approach by Belle Brockhoff to this weekend’s Snowboard Cross World Cups in Feldberg, Germany.

The snowboarders will contest two events, beginning Friday night with qualifying, the finals live on Eurosport on Saturday from 10pm and the second race on Sunday night – again live on Eurosport.

After last week’s shorter sprint course in Bansko, Australia’s Snowboard Cross athletes Belle Brockhoff, Alex “Chumpy” Pullin, Cam Bolton, Jarryd Hughes and Matt Thomas revert to a more traditional one-minute course length.

24-year-old Sochi Olympian Brockhoff is aiming for the coveted overall season leader’s Crystal Globe trophy, having won two of the three Ladies World Cup Snowboard Cross events this season (Montafon and Basko) and backs up her first career win almost a year ago in Spain.
 
“My first win (Baqueira Beret, Spain in March 2016) was a goal I’d been aiming for a while,” Brockhoff recalled. “I’ve always wanted to win races and be the best since I got into the sport.”

Of her two recent World Cup victories in Montafon and Bansko Belle is always looking to see where improvements can be made.

“Looking at footage of the races that I have won helps give me an indication of where I can improve still.”
For the upcoming Feldberg World Cup this Saturday, training is underway and includes assessing the course before arrival.   

“We usually see some pictures of race course before we arrive, which gives us an idea. From there we have to figure out the course in just over an hour and do our best lap in time trials.”

“Every course can be more or less technical than others and always have different features to figure out, which challenges you,” she said. 

“I’m excited for this season and really looking forward to the years ahead on the tour. I am happy with my progress and feel that I’m not near my potential yet. I have so much to learn and I’m excited to do so.”

Coach Ben Wordsworth says whilst the Feldberg course will be different to that which they saw last year, the snowboarders are ready to go.

“Belle is doing pretty well,” said coach Ben Wordsworth. “Having won her first-ever event last season, she came back this year really motivated. She wants that Globe.”

“Her equipment is good at the moment and she’s very focussed.”

2010 and 2014 Olympian and dual World Champion Alex Pullin, who narrowly missed the podium last week in Bansko in a tight finish, is currently in fifth on the World Standings and looking forward to the weekend.

So too is Cam Bolton who, according to Coach Wordsworth, “rode pretty well last week and it was unfortunate he went out before the final”.

Jarryd Hughes is consistently performing and sitting in 8th position in the overall FIS Snowboard Cross World Cup standings. He will be looking for strong results in Feldberg.  

Matt Thomas is learning with each World Cup this season.
 
"The season so far has been challenging, in a positive way,” Thomas said. “The World Cup in Solitude felt as though I was riding really well. I was able to overtake in the quarters finals then made a mistake in the third last turn opening the line too much and dropping from first to sixth and being pushed up into the fencing.”

“I feel as though there was a real opportunity there.”

“Bansko was more challenging even though the training day and qualifying was felt similar to Solitude. The race day though didn't go to plan and I didn't perform as well I could, not fully clearing a feature in the course cost me a lot of speed and therefore, dropping back from being inside the top three for the first round.”

Going into Feldberg, Thomas’ goals are set.  

“This week at Feldberg we've recapped. The goal this week is to focus on keeping it simple and have fun. Focusing on replicating the work in Solitude whilst learning from the mistakes will hopefully pull off two good results." 
FIS Officials have said that conditions in Feldberg are good.

“Due to the fresh snow, sinking temperatures and a more stable weather forecasted than the ski cross community experienced last weekend in Bulgaria, conditions are looking favourable for the World Cup on the Seebuck face,” FIS officials stated.

“Course shapers have redesigned re-designed specific parts of the ski cross course from last week into a boarder cross track.”

The Feldberg World Cup qualifying begins at 8.30pm (AEDST) on Friday. Finals will be broadcast live this Saturday, Friday February 11 on Eurosport from 10pm. The second World Cup will again be broadcast live on Eurosport on Sunday evening at 10pm. 
 

Belle Brockhoff has claimed her second World Cup win of the 2016/2017 season in Bankso, Bulgaria, to reclaim the number one spot on the Snowboard Cross world rankings. 
 
The 2014 Sochi Olympian returned to the top of the podium in Bankso after she secured a win in the season-opener in Montafon in December.
 
The third event of the 2016/2017 season featured a new sprint style of racing with a course length of only 20 seconds, with no turns but a straight line, which obviously posed no problem for the Aussie. 
 
"I'm feeling really happy about today, I had a few good runs, and this time there were less mistakes than I usually put in," Brockhoff said.
 
"I looked for those one percenters for my coaches, and really focused on on the day." 
 
Back to back wins in the quarter-final and semi-final races saw the 24-year-old progress to the Big Final, where she proved why she is amongst the World's best, edging out Czech snowboarder Eva Samkova and France's Chloe Trespeuch. 
 
The gold medal for Australia, sees the NSWIS rider claim the maximum 1000 points, putting her at the top of the World Cup standings.
 
"I'm really happy to now be the tour leader, it's been goal of mine for a long time and I am looking to maintain that.”
 
In the men's event, tight competition and a photo finish in the Big Final saw Alex Pullin finish in fourth place, while team mate Cameron Bolton claimed 12th.

Other Australian results included X Games Champion Jarryd Hughes in 21st, NSWIS riders Matt Thomas, 36th, Adam Dickson, 49th and Josh Milller, 53rd.
 
Pullin now sits in fifth position in the World Cup standings, ahead of Hughes in eighth and Bolton in 16th. 
 
The snowboard cross World Cup tour will take to Feldberg, Germany, next week with a double event scheduled from February 10 - 12.

IMAGE: Belle Brockhoff with the win and world number one ranking in Bankso, Bulgaria © FIS

Another World Cup awaits our Australian snowboard cross athletes, heading across the pond to Banslo, Bulgaria; making its debut appearance on the world cup tour.

World number 2 female Belle Brockhoff will be looking to keep up her strong current form, after finishing 6th in the final in Soltitude.

While in the men's field, current Top 10 riders Alex Pullin and Jarryd Hughes will compete on one of the shorter courses designed for the tour calendar, and will also be joined by Cam Bolton and NSWIS riders Matt Thomas, Josh Miller and Adam Dickson.

​Bulgaria will pose a different test for the athletes than what they have faced so far this season, with a more technical start section which is placed on a steep face.

From there, riders will head into the main features which consist of a step down, triple, table top and final jumps varying in size from 16 to 22 metres.

Speed will be key to success in the shorter form of the track, with qualification starting tomorrow night (AEDT) at 7:45pm for the men and 10:30pm for the women, with live scoring found on the FIS website.

Belle Brockhoff bounced back from a slight fall in qualification to finish sixth in the Big Final of the Snowboard Cross World Cup in Solitude, USA, this morning.

After qualifying in 15th for the finals, Brockhoff placed 3rd in her quarter final and semi-final to book a spot in the Big Final.

A mistake on a feature near the top of the course in the final, put her behind and was unable to make up any ground on the leaders. Eva Samkova won the event and leapfrogged Brockhoff into the world number one spot.

She did not slip far, holding onto the second place in the world rankings after a tough day of snow conditions.

In the men's competition, Jarryd Hughes topped the list of Aussies, finishing the World Cup in eighth overall after placing second in the Small Final.

Hughes just snuck in to the finals after qualifying in 41st place, but backed up last month's fourth placing with another top-10 placing today.

Dual World Champion Alex Pullin (17th), NSWIS rider Matt Thomas (22nd) and Cam Bolton (23rd) were not able to make it past the second round of head to head racing.

Josh Miller qualified for finals to finish in 43rd, while Adam Dickson was 53rd in the qualification round.

A World Cup Snowboard Cross team event also took place at Solitude, with Jarryd Hughes and Josh Miler representing Australia. The team unfortunately was knocked out in the first round of competition, finishing ranked equal 13th.

The next stop on the Snowboard Cross World Cup tour is Solitude Mountain Resort, USA - a new venue for the sport in which Australians have been successful in recent years , inspired in many instances by two-time Olympian and World Champion Alex “Chumpy” Pullin, Current World Cup leader Belle Brockhoff and X Games Champ, Jarryd Hughes.

Along with Pullin, Brockhoff and Hughes Australia’s Snowboard Cross team for Solitude includes Cam Bolton and NSWIS riders Matt Thomas, Adam Dickson and Josh Miller.  

The event, to be held from 19 to 21 January, will be the second World Cup for the 2016-17 season and the first major international snowboarding competition Solitude has hosted. 

That the course will be new to all competitors could well suit the Australians according to OWIA head Coach Ben Wordsworth.

“We’ve never raced at Solitude before and because it’s the first World Cup on that slope, we don’t know what the course will be like,” Wordsworth said.

​However, there’s been lots of snow, which lends itself to building something big and technical – and that generally suits our athletes.”

“We have very high-end athletes such as Alex and Belle who are very good in the technical area.”

“Belle really likes the big rollers, jumps and banks and she’s skilful in that area,” he said. 

Belle Brockhoff triumphed in a thrilling and exciting snowboard cross World Cup opener in mid-December at Montafon in Austria, winning her second career gold in a photo finish in what she described as a challenging course.

After a short break over the Christmas period in Australia Belle re-joined the OWIA Snowboard Cross Team in Ski Cooper, putting in valuable preparation. 

"I had great preparation this week for the upcoming world cup in Solitude and I’m looking forward to the racing this week and starting 2017 strong," Belle said.
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Alex “Chumpy” Pullin, who began his season in Montafon with a third place, says he is on track for this weekend’s event. 

​"I had a good training camp in Ski Cooper this last week and I am looking forward to getting back to the World Cup in Solitude this week with some solid racing."

For Wordsworth, results count. “We’re staying focussed on what we need to do, which is to get results.”

21-year-old Jarryd Hughes, already an Olympian from Sochi, had a great start to his season in Montafon despite being injured, qualifying second and making it to the final where he ended up fourth overall.

“Qualifying second was really a confidence-booster and great way to come into the season,” Hughes said.

“In the run-up to Montafon I was injured (with bone bruising) and only had 12 days on snow the entire month and that included all the race days.”

Time at home after Montafon provided the youngest team member of the OWIA Snowboard Cross team time to recover, relax, train and enjoy a bit of summer.

“I’d be lost without the beach and the snow.” he said. “I was training at home after I got back, but it’s also good to relax and enjoy the summer while I can.”

​​“I left for Utah on January 10 with a few extra days to acclimatise and be with a few other riders to make sure I’m physically and mentally ready for Solitude. I like to focus on what I’m doing.”

His focus has much to do with personal belief and trusting his instincts.

“Some people have a whole lot of plans,” he said when asked what it’s like to stand waiting at the start gate. “I go in without a set race plan and let what I want to do take over. I trust my instincts.”

“There’s a lot of intensity at the start gate and it’s the people who best deal with it that continue on.”

OWIA athlete Cam Bolton is looking to improve on his season opener.

“Cam is healthy and has trained hard over the Australian summer,” coach Wordsworth said.

​“He’s definitely one of our fastest riders. It was unfortunate in Montafon that he was hit by another rider in the quarters and went out."

The winter wonderland dream results continue for Australia with Belle Brockhoff and Alex (Chumpy) Pullin winning Gold and Bronze respectively in the opening World Cup of the Snowboard Cross season in Montafon, Austria overnight.

It could not have gone any better for the NSWIS athlete Belle Brockhoff who had a near perfect qualifying run on Thursday, finishing second behind Olympic champion Eva Samkova, before winning the Quarter Final then coming second in her Semi to book a spot in the Final.

Trailing by a small margin to Sochi Bronze medallist Chloe Trespeuch coming through the second time-gate, Brockhoff had to work hard to take back the lead in the Final, to claim victory in the end. She was jubilant to start her season off in the best possible way.

“Couldn’t ask for anything better to start the tour off. Thank you for the support, happy days,” Belle Brockhoff said after winning Gold.

​A full-strength field was another tough challenge for the men, but as big names dropped out in the quarter finals, Pullin and fellow Aussie Jarryd Hughes made the most of it to push deep into the finals, with Pullin snaring a podium spot in 3rd.

Hughes got the jump on Pullin in the qualifying round, coming in second with Chumpy sitting in 11th.

But the Quarter Final was where the boys really got going, topping their respective group before moving through to the same Semi, where Hughes pipped Pullin and both progressed to the Final.

The tables were turned in the final when Hughes unfortunately did not finish to place fourth overall as Chumpy raced through in third to join Brockhoff with a podium finish.

Pullin copped a knock to the mouth in the final, but was thrilled with his result and congratulated USA winner Hagen Kearney on his first World Cup win.

“Sick day of racing, stoked to land on the podium at the first stop of the tour after some really tight heats,” Pullin said.

After the races, Olympic Winter Institute of Australia head coach Ben Wordsworth credited Brockhoff and Pullin’s hard work in training and said they were delighted to get a great early result.

“Belle has put a lot of work in through the Australian winter which paid off today. She made a great pass in the final and took a great win,” he said.

“Chumpy also rode extremely well today, putting a lot of work into his equipment and technique over the break. He rode some tight heats and made some great racing moves to get that podium.”

The only other Australian to qualify for finals, Cam Bolton, progressed through his Eight Final but couldn’t move out of the Quarters, finishing 15th overall.
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NSW Institute of Sport team mates Matt Thomas, Josh Miller and Adam Dickson were placed 33rd, 38th and 56th after the qualifying competition.

A World Cup team event also took place in Montafon, with Matt Thomas and Josh Miller representing Australia. The young team did well placing fifth in the small final.

The athletes will break over Christmas in preparation for the next World Cup event in USA starting January 19. 

A fit and healthy Australian Snowboard Cross team are ready for the first World Cup of the new season, as they take to the snow for qualification in Montafon, Austria tonight. 

The bar is set high within the talented group of Olympians and exciting youngsters, with the season opener acting as perfect ground to showcase some solid early form.

Belle Brockhoff, fresh off winning two Europa Cup events in Pitzal, Austria last week, will lead the charge with New South Wales Institute of Sport team-mate Cam Bolton, who finished 9th last week, and Alex ‘Chumpy’ Pullin taking to the snow in the men’s field.

Jarryd Hughes, Josh Miller and Adam Dickson will also be competing, as Australia showcases one of its strongest ever fields in the sport.

Confident ahead of this week’s event, coach Ben Wordsworth said his team had been training well and are searching for good results early.

“Chumpy, Belle, Cam and NSWIS athlete Matt Thomas, have been here in Pitzal using the state-of-the-art facilities in preparation for this week,” he said.

“The last three weeks of preparation have been used to fine tune their technique and most importantly their heat racing to prepare for some strong results in the first race.”

Olympic qualification is far from the minds of Wordsworth and his team, with the ultimate goal of PyeongChang in 2018 still a fair way down the track.

“We don’t think about it, we just want to focus on the World Cups,” Wordsworth said.

“Obviously the qualification aspect is in there, but we just want the guys to try and nail each race and get the best results we can and the qualification will follow.”

Varying weather conditions earlier in the week raised some concerns over the start time of the event, but more stable and colder weather in the Vorarlberg Alps have helped ensure the event will go ahead. 

Qualifcation starts tonight at 11pm AEDT, with the finals starting at midnight on Friday to be shown live on Eurosport. You can find more information and program times below.
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http://data.fis-ski.com/dynamic/event-details.html?event_id=39120&cal_suchsector=SB 

Belle Brockhoff has started her 2016-2017 international season in the best possible way, winning two Europa Cup Snowboard Cross events in Pitztal, Austria.

The event was a good opportunity for Brockhoff to transfer her strong trianing form to compeititon as she prepares for the World Cup season opening event in two weeks time.

Brockhoff’s New South Wales Institute of Sport team-mate Cam Bolton competed in the first day of competition, making it through to the quarter final stage in ninth place.

The first World Cup of the season will take place in Montafon, Austria, on December 15-18.

PHOTO: Belle Brockhoff (right) at the first Europa Cup race with NSWIS athletes Adam Lambert (middle) and Elise Turner (left)

Other Australian Results

Day One
Adam Dickson - 51st
Adam Lambert - 52nd
Matt Thomas - 60th
Josh Miller -71st
Elise Turner - DSQ

Day Two
Matt Thomas - 9th
Josh Miller - 15th
Elise Turner - 17th
Adam Lambert - 33rd
Adam Dickson - 49th

Two-time World Champion Alex “Chumpy” Pullin has finished sixth in the second of this weekend’s two races, at the Snowboard Cross World Cup event in Veysonnaz, Switzerland.

The OWIA/NSWIS athlete made great starts in both his Quarter and Semi-Finals to ensure his progress to the Big Final, but unfortunately couldn’t make it onto the podium for the second time this season.

Fellow OWIA/NSWIS athlete Belle Brockhoff was unable to match her Day One performance where she finished second,  as she just missed out on a spot in the Big Final after finishing fourth in her Semi-Final.

Brockhoff dominated the Small Final though, crossing the line comfortably in first place to finish seventh overall.

​Matthew Thomas had another top 20 finish, placing 19th after reaching the Quarter Finals, while Adam Dickson was unable to progress from the eight final after crashing out in his heat.

Today’s Men’s race was taken out by Spain’s Lucas Eguibar, whilst Michela Moioli of Italy took out the Women's.

With one World Cup event remaining for the season in Baqueira Beret, Spain, Brockhoff is currently ranked fifth on the standings with Pullin in sixth.

IMAGE: Alex Pullin fast out of the gate in Qualifying at Veysonnaz © FIS

Olympic Winter Institute of Australia (OWIA)/New South Wales Institute of Sport (NSWIS) athlete Belle Brockhoff has finished second at the first of the two World Cup Snowboard Cross events over the weekend in Veysonnaz, Switzerland.

Brockhoff, who also finished runner-up two weeks ago at the World Cup event in Russia, won her quarter final in impressive fashion to qualify for the Semi-Finals.

The 22 year-old finished third in her Semi-Final to qualify for the Big-Final, where she was able to hold off the rest of the field to finish second behind Bulgaria’s Alexandra Jekova.

“I had a really fun day today, the racing was close and I am really happy to get another podium”, Brockhoff said.

In the Men’s, Matthew Thomas was the best placed Australian finishing 16th, with Alex Pullin and Adam Dickson both eliminated in the Eight Finals. Pullin was caught in traffic and fell in his race.

IMAGE: Belle Brockhoff (left) celebrates on the podium in Veysonnaz © FIS

Australian snowboarder Belle Brockhoff capped off an excellent weekend by finishing second at the World Cup boarder cross event in Sunney Valley, Russia tonight (Australian time).

After finishing second fastest in qualifying yesterday, the Olympic Winter Institute of Australia (OWIA)/New South Wales Institute of Sport (NSWIS) athlete won both her quarter final and semi-final today.

Brockhoff’s second placing also sees her move from sixth to fourth in the overall World Cup standings.

It’s been a good few weeks for Brockhoff with strong results, including a fourth placing at the X-Games three weeks ago.

“I’m really happy that I’m climbing up the rankings and in particular with the progression I’ve had over the last few weeks,” Brockhoff said.

“I’ve been working hard with my coaching staff on my riding; they have been incredible coaches, and my board technician has done an amazing job on all my boards. They feel very fast and consistent,” Brockhoff added.

In the Men’s, Alex “Chumpy” Pullin and Jarryd Hughes both cruised through qualifying on Saturday, and progressed to the semi-finals, where Hughes finished second, therefore qualifying for the big final, and Pullin finished sixth in his semi, which saw him qualify for the small final.

Pullin put in a very good run in the small final, crossing the line in first place, to finish the World Cup event in seventh place overall.

Hughes, who has been in good form after winning Gold at the X-Games, finished in sixth place in the big final.

Snowboard Cross Head Coach, Ben Wordsworth was pleased with their performances, saying they were both unlucky to not finish higher up the leaderboard.

“Chumpy and Jarryd raced well today, but were unlucky to get caught up in traffic,” Wordsworth said.
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“Chumpy won the small final which was great, and unfortunately Jarryd got caught up the back in the big final to finish sixth.”

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It’s been a golden day for Olympic Winter Institute of Australia (OWIA)/New South Wales Institute of Sport (NSWIS) Snowboard Cross program at the X-Games in Aspen, Colorado, USA.

Jarryd Hughes took out first place in the Men’s Snowboard Cross Final, with team mate two-time World Champion, Alex “Chumpy” Pullin finishing a close second to put the two Australian athletes on the podium for the first time at a Winter X-Games.

After fantastic performances across the whole weekend, 20-year old Hughes was naturally ecstatic with his victory.

“I was in Germany for a World Cup last week, and all I could think about was winning Gold here,” Hughes said.

“I just raced my race and did it; I am so happy right now,” he added.

Belle Brockhoff finished fourth in the Women’s Snowboard Cross Final to make it a great games for the OWIA/NSWIS Snowboard team.

Additionally, 16 year old youngster Ben Tudhope from NSW, who finished third in the Men’s Adaptive Snowboard Cross final, taking out his first X-Games bronze medal.

Image: Jarryd Hughes celebrates after crossing the line in first place © ESPN